Non-peptide GNRH agents, methods and intermediates for their preparation

ABSTRACT

Non-peptide GnRH agents capable of inhibiting the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone are described. Such compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, multimers, prodrugs, and active metabolites are suitable for treating mammalian reproductive disorders and steroid hormone-dependent tumors as well as for regulating fertility, where suppression of gonadotropin release is indicated. Methods for synthesizing the compounds and intermediates useful in their preparation are also described.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/097,530, filed on Aug. 20, 1998.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to compounds that affect the action of human gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). More particularly, it relates to non-peptide GnRH antagonists or agonists and to their preparation. These non-peptide GnRH agents have advantageous physical, chemical and biological properties, and are useful medicaments for diseases or conditions mediated by modulation of the pituitary-gonadal axis. The compounds of the invention avoid the degradation and biodistribution problems of peptide agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), also known as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), plays a central role in the biology of reproduction. A large variety of analogs have been used for an increasing number of clinical indications. The GnRH decapeptide (pyro-Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH₂ or p-EHWSYGLRPG-NH₂) is produced in neurons of the medial basal hypothalamus from a larger precursor by enzymatic processing. The decapeptide is released in a pulsatile manner into the pituitary portal circulation system where GnRH interacts with high-affinity receptors (7-Transmembrane G-Protein Coupled Receptors) in the anterior pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. In the pituitary, GnRH triggers the release of two gonadotropic hormones (gonadotropins): luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In testes and ovaries, LH stimulates the production of testosterone and estradiol, respectively. FSH stimulates follicle growth in women and sperm formation in men. When correctly functioning, the pulse-timed release and concentration levels of GnRH are critical for the maintenance of gonadal steroidogenesis and for normal functions of reproduction related to growth and sexual development.

The pituitary response to GnRH varies greatly throughout life. GnRH and the gonadotropins first appear in the fetus at about ten weeks of gestation. The sensitivity to GnRH declines, after a brief rise during the first three months after birth, until the onset of puberty. Before puberty, the FSH response to GnRH is greater than that of LH. Once puberty begins, sensitivity to GnRH increases, and pulsatile LH secretion ensues. Later in puberty and throughout the reproductive years, pulsatile release of GnRH occurs throughout the day, with LH responsiveness being greater than that of FSH. Pulsatile GnRH release results in pulsatile LH and FSH release and hence testosterone and estradiol release from the gonads. After menopause, FSH and LH concentrations rise, and post-menopausal FSH levels are higher than those of LH.

Chronic administration of GnRH agonists and antagonists to animals or to man results in decreased circulating levels of both LH and FSH. GnRH agonists are compounds that mimic endogenous GnRH to stimulate receptors on the pituitary gland, resulting in release of LH and FSH. After a transient rise in gonadal hormone production or “flare” response, chronic administration of GnRH agonists results in a down-regulation of GnRH receptors. GnRH receptor down-regulation and desensitization of the pituitary results in a decrease of circulating levels of LH and FSH. In spite of the symptom-exacerbating hormonal flare experienced, GnRH agonists have been the treatment of choice for sex-steroid-dependent pathophysiologies. For example, GnRH agonists have been used to reduce testosterone production, thereby reducing prostate volume in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and slowing tumor growth in prostate cancer. These compounds have also been used to treat breast and ovarian cancers.

Recently, GnRH antagonists have become available for clinical evaluation. GnRH antagonists have an immediate effect on the pituitary without the observed flare associated with agonists. Use of GnRH antagonists (usually decapeptides) has been reported in the literature for treatment of breast, ovarian, and prostatic cancers. Other uses of antagonists, like agonists, include endometriosis (including endometriosis with pain), uterine myoma, ovarian and mammary cystic diseases (including polycystic ovarian disease), prostatic hypertrophy, amenorrhea (e.g., secondary amenorrhea), and precocious puberty. These compounds may also be useful in the symptomatic relief of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Furthermore, antagonists may be useful to regulate the secretion of gonadotropins in male mammals to arrest spermatogenesis (e.g., as male contraceptives), and for treatment of male sex offenders. Importantly, GnRH antagonists (and agonists) have found utility in treatments where a reversible suppression of the pituitary-gonadal axis is desired.

The presence of GnRH receptors on anterior pituitary cells and several tumor cell types offers the opportunity to develop drugs that act upon these receptors to treat both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent cancers.

For over 50 years, androgen deprivation has been the most effective systematic therapy for the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. The rationale is simple—the prostate gland requires androgens for proper growth, maintenance, and function. Yet, prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia are common in men and develop in an environment of continuous androgen exposure. Thus, utilizing a GnRH antagonist to interrupt the pituitary-gonadal axis reduces androgen production and results in tumor growth modulation. Furthermore, GnRH antagonists may have a direct effect on tumor growth by blocking receptors on the tumor cells. For those cancer types that respond both to sex hormones and to GnRH directly, antagonists should be effective in slowing tumor growth by two mechanisms. Since GnRH receptors are present on many prostate and breast cancer cells, it has recently been speculated that GnRH antagonists may also be effective in treating non-hormone-dependent tumors. Recent literature examples indicate that GnRH receptors are present on a number of cancer cell lines, including:

-   -   Prostate Cancer: GnRH agonists exert both in vitro, and in vivo,         a direct inhibitory action on the growth of both         androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (DU 145)         human prostatic cancer cell lines. Montagnani et al, Arch. Ital.         Urol. Androl. 1997, 69(4), 257-263. GnRH antagonist inhibit the         growth of androgen-independent PC-3 prostate cancer in nude         mice. Jungwirth et al., Prostate 1997, 32(3), 164-172.     -   Ovarian Cancer: The demonstration of GnRH receptors in human         ovarian cancers provides a rationale for the use of therapeutic         approaches based on GnRH analogues in this malignancy. Srkalovic         et al., Int. J. Oncol. 1998, 12(3), 489-498.     -   Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer         in women over the age of 40 and is the leading cause of         cancer-related death in women. Systematic endocrine intervention         represents a major treatment option for the management of         advanced breast cancer, especially with estrogen-dependent         cancers. The genes for gonadotropin-releasing hormone and its         receptor are expressed in human breast with fibrocystic disease         and cancer. Kottler et al., Int. J. Cancer 1997, 71(4), 595-599.

Heretofore, available GnRH antagonists have primarily been peptide analogs of GnRH. See, e.g., International Publication No. WO 93/03058. Peptide antagonists of peptide hormones are often quite potent; however, the use of peptide antagonists is typically associated with problems because peptides are degraded by physiological enzymes and often poorly distributed within the organism being treated. Thus, they have limited effectiveness as drugs. Consequently, there presently exists a need for non-peptide antagonists of the peptide hormone GnRH.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to develop small-molecule non-peptide GnRH antagonists that exploit both of the above-described mechanisms of action. Non-peptide GnRH agents have advantageous physical, chemical and biological properties compared to peptides, and will be useful medicaments for diseases mediated via the pituitary-gonadal axis and by directly targeting the receptor on tumor cells. There is a need to develop drugs that act upon these receptors to treat both hormone-dependent and hormone-independent cancers.

Another object of the invention is to provide non-peptide compounds that are GnRH agents (agonists or antagonists) that bind to GnRH receptors and thus modulate activity, especially those that are potent GnRH antagonists. Another object of the invention is to provide effective therapies for individuals needing therapeutic regulation of GnRH and to provide methods for treating diseases and conditions mediated by GnRH regulation.

Such objects have been achieved by the non-peptide GnRH compounds of the invention; which are useful as pharmaceuticals for indications mediated by GnRH regulation. The inventive compounds are pharmaceutically advantageous over peptide compounds since they provide better biodistribution and tolerance to degradation by physiological enzymes. The invention further provides methods of synthesizing the compounds as well as intermediate compounds useful for making the compounds.

The invention is directed to compounds of the general Formula I:

  where:

-   -   X is selected from C═O, C═S, S═O, and S(O)₂;               -    is a 5-membered heterocyclic ring containing from 1 to 4,         preferably 2 or 3, heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S,         wherein the ring may be saturated, partially unsaturated, or         fully unsaturated, and may be aromatic;     -   R¹ and R² are independently selected from H and lower alkyl;     -   R³ is selected from H, halogen, and substituted and         unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle,         aryl, heteroaryl, CH, OR, OR, and C(O)OR, where R is selected         from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,         cycloalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, and heteroaryl, and where the         total number of carbon atoms present (not including any optional         substituents) ranges from 1 to 12;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from H, halogen, and         substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,         cycloalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, CH₂OR, OR, and         C(O)OR, where R is as defined above; and where the total number         of carbon atoms present (not including any optional         substituents) ranges from 1 to 12;     -   R⁶ and R⁷ are independently selected from H, halogen and         substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,         cycloalkyl, heterocycle, aryl, heteroaryl, CH₂OR, OR, and         C(O)OR; where R is as defined above, and where the total number         of carbon atoms present (not including any optional         substituents) ranges from 1 to 12; or R⁶ and R⁷ taken together         with the atoms to which they are bonded form an optionally         substituted 5- or 6-membered ring optionally having up to four         heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S;     -   R⁸ is a lipophilic moiety selected from substituted and         unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle,         aryl, heteroaryl, CH₂OR, OR, and C(O)OR, where R is as defined         above, and where the total number of carbon atoms present (not         including any-optional substituents) ranges from 6 to 20; and     -   R⁹ is selected from H and substituted and unsubstituted alkyl,         preferably lower alkyl.

In some embodiments, R¹ or R² can be —OH or ═O; and/or R⁸ can also be hydrogen;

-   -   and/or R can be COR or hydrogen; and/or R8 can have any desired         number of carbon atoms;     -   and/or R⁸ ad R⁹ can also form a ring; and/or any adjacent R         groups, such as R⁵ and R⁶ or R³ and R⁴ can form a ring, such as         those described for R⁶ and R⁷;     -   and/or R⁶ can be COR; and/or the (het) group can be substituted         or unsubstituted.

Also, in another embodiment R⁸ and/or R⁹ can be selected from heterocyclic groups or any compound that forms an amide bond with the nitrogen of Formula I. That is, R⁸ and R⁹ can be any groups starting with a carbon bonded to the nitrogen of general Formula I.

Preferred compounds of the invention are of the general formula II:

  where the variables in the formula are as defined above.

Especially preferred compounds have the formula III:

  where R⁸ is defined above. Preferred R⁸ groups include: aryl, —CH₂-aryl, —CH₂-heteroaryl, —CH₂-cycloalkyl, and —(CH₂)_(n)—O-aryl where n is an integer of from 1 to 4.

Preferred compounds of the invention include:

  including both cis- and trans-isomers at the cyclohexyl substituent;

 

In addition to compounds of the above formulae, GnRH agents of the invention include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, multimeric forms, prodrugs, and active metabolites of such compounds. Such non-peptide agents are pharmaceutically advantageous over peptide agents since they provide better biodistribution and tolerance to degradation by physiological enzymes.

The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a GnRH agent of the invention in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Moreover, the invention relates to methods for regulating the secretion of gonadotropins in mammals, comprising administering therapeutically effective amounts of GnRH agents of the invention.

The invention also relates to methods and intermediates useful for making compounds of the Formula I.

Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and its preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Some of the compounds of the invention contain one or more centers of asymmetry, and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereoisomers, and other stereoisomeric forms. The invention is meant to include all such possible stereoisomers as well as their racemic and optically pure forms. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds, they are intended to encompass both E and Z geometric isomers.

The chemical formulae referred to herein may exhibit the phenomenon of tautomerism. As the structural formulae shown in this specification only depict one of the possible tautomeric forms, it should be understood that the invention nonetheless encompasses all tautomeric forms.

The term “alkyl” refers to straight- and branched-chain alkyl groups having one to twelve carbon atoms. Exemplary alkyl groups include methyl (Me), ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl (tBu), pentyl, isopentyl, tert-pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, and the like. The term “lower alkyl” designates an alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms (a C₁₋₈-alkyl). Suitable substituted alkyls include fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 3-fluoropropyl, hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, and the like.

The term “alkenyl” refers to straight- and branched-chain alkenyl groups having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Illustrative alkenyl groups include prop-2-enyl, but-2-enyl, but-3-enyl, 2-methylprop-2-enyl, hex-2-enyl, and the like.

The term “alkynyl” refers to straight- and branched-chain alkynyl groups having from 2 to 12 carbons atoms. Exemplary alkynyls include prop-2-ynyl, 3-methylpent-4-ynyl, hex-2-ynyl, and the like.

The term “carbocycle” refers to a monocyclic or polycyclic carbon ring structure (with no heteroatoms) having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms in each ring, which may be saturated, partially saturated, or unsaturated. Exemplary carbocycles include cycloalkyls and aryls.

The term “heterocycle” refers to a monocyclic or polycyclic ring structure with one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, and having from 3 to 7 atoms (carbon atoms plus any heteroatom(s)) in each ring, which may be saturated, partially saturated, or unsaturated Exemplary heterocycles include tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, and the like.

The term “cycloalkyls” as used herein refers to saturated carbocycles having 3 to 12 carbons, including bicyclic and tricyclic cycloalkyl structures. Suitable cycloalkyls include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and the like.

The terms “aryls” and “heteroaryls” refer to monocyclic and polycyclic unsaturated or aromatic ring structures, with “aryl” referring to those that are carbocycles and “heteroaryl” referring to those that are heterocycles. Examples of aromatic ring structures include phenyl, naphthyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyridyl, pyridinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, 1,2,3-triazinyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1-H-tetrazol-5-yl, indoly, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl (thianaphthenyl), and the like. Such moieties may be optionally substituted by one or more suitable substituents, for example, a substituent selected from a halogen (F, Cl, Br or I); lower alkyl; OH; NO₂; CN; CO₂H; O-lower alkyl; aryl; aryl-lower alkyl; CO₂CH₃; CONH₂; OCH₂CONH₂; NH₂; SO₂NH₂; OCHF₂; CF₃; OCF₃; and the like. Such moieties may also be optionally substituted by a fused-ring structure or bridge, for example OCH₂—O.

The term “aryl-lower alkyl” means a lower alkyl bearing an aryl. Examples include benzyl, phenethyl, pyridylmethyl, naphthylmethyl, and the like. The aryl-lower alkyl may be optionally substituted.

In general, the various moieties or functional groups for variables in Formula I may be optionally substituted by one or more suitable substituents. Exemplary substituents include a halogen (F, Cl, Br, or I), lower alkyl, —OH, —NO₂, —CN, —CO₂H, —O-lower alkyl, -aryl,

-aryl-lower alkyl, —CO₂CH₃, —CONH₂, —OCH₂CONH₂, —NH₂, —SO₂NH₂, haloalkyl (e.g., —CF₃,

—CH₂CF₃), —O-haloalkyl (e.g., —OCF₃, —OCHF₂), and the like.

In addition to compounds of the Formula I, GnRH agents of the invention include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, multimeric forms, prodrugs, and active metabolites of compounds of the Formula I. Such non-peptide agents are pharmaceutically advantageous over peptide agents since they provide better biodistribution and tolerance to degradation by physiological enzymes.

Additionally, Formula I is intended to cover, where applicable, solvated as well as unsolvated forms of the compounds. Thus, Formula I includes compounds having the indicated structure, including the hydrated as well as the non-hydrated forms.

As indicated above, GnRH agents in accordance with the invention also include active tautomeric and stereoisomeric forms of the compounds of the Formula I, which may be readily obtained using techniques known in the art. For example, optically active (R) and (S) isomers may be prepared via a stereospecific synthesis, e.g., using chiral synthons and chiral reagents, or racemic mixtures may be resolved using conventional techniques.

GnRH agents further include multivalent or multimeric forms of active forms of the compounds of the Formula I. Such “multimers” may be made by linking or placing multiple copies of an active compound in close proximity to each other, e.g., using a scaffolding provided by a carrier moiety. Multimers of various dimensions (i.e., bearing varying numbers of copies of an active compound) may be tested to arrive at a multimer of optimum size with respect to receptor binding. Provision of such multivalent forms of active receptor-binding compounds with optimal spacing between the receptor-binding moieties may enhance receptor binding (see, for example, Lee et al., Biochem., 1984, 23:4255). The artisan may control the multivalency and spacing by selection of a suitable carrier moiety or linker units. Useful moieties include molecular supports containing a multiplicity of functional groups that can be reacted with functional groups associated with the active compounds of the invention. A variety of carrier moieties may be used to build highly active multimers, including proteins such as BSA (bovine serum albumin) or HAS, peptides such as pentapeptides, decapeptides, pentadecapeptides, and the like, as well as non-biological compounds selected for their beneficial effects on absorbability, transport, and persistence within the target organism. Functional groups on the carrier moiety, such as amino, sulfhydryl, hydroxyl, and alkylamino groups, may be selected to obtain stable linkages to the compounds of the invention, optimal spacing between the immobilized compounds, and optimal biological properties.

Additionally, GnRH agents of the invention include pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of the Formula I. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to salt forms that are pharmacologically acceptable and substantially non-toxic to the subject being administered the GnRH agent Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include conventional acid-addition salts or base-addition salts formed from suitable non-toxic organic or inorganic acids or inorganic bases. Exemplary acid-addition salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid, and those derived from organic acids such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethane-disulfonic acid, isethionic acid, oxalic acid, p-bromophenylsulfonic acid, carbonic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, acetic acid, phenylacetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, stearic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, maleic acid, hydroxymaleic acid, glutamic acid, salicylic acid, sulfanilic acid, and fumaric acid. Exemplary base-addition salts include those derived from ammonium hydroxides (e.g., a quaternary ammonium hydroxide such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide), those derived from inorganic bases such as alkali or alkaline earth-metal (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, or magnesium) hydroxides, and those derived from organic bases such as amines, benzylamines, piperidines, and pyrrolidines.

The term “prodrug” refers to a metabolic precursor of a compound of the Formula I (or a salt thereof) that is pharmaceutically acceptable. A prodrug may be inactive when administered to a subject but is converted in viva to an active compound of the Formula I. The term “active metabolite” refers to a metabolic product of a compound of the Formula I that is pharmaceutically acceptable and effective. Prodrugs and active metabolites of compounds of the Formula I may be determined using techniques known in the art.

A variety of known assays and techniques may be employed to determine the level of activity of various forms of the compounds in the GnRH system. Ligand-binding assays are used to determine interaction with the receptor of interest. Where binding is of interest, a labeled receptor may be used, where the label is a fluorescer, enzyme, radioisotope, or the like, which registers a quantifiable change upon the binding of the receptor. Alternatively, the artisan may provide for an antibody to the receptor, where the antibody is labeled, which may allow for amplification of the signal. Binding may also be determined by competitive displacement of a ligand bound to the receptor, where the ligand is labeled with a detectable label. Where agonist and/or antagonist activity is of interest, an intact organism or cell may be studied, and the change in an organismic or cellular function in response to the binding of the compound of interest may be measured. Various devices are available for detecting cellular response, such as a microphysiometer available from Molecular-Device, Redwood City, Calif. In vitro and in vivo assays useful in measuring GnRH antagonist activity are known in the art. See, e.g., Bowers et al., “LH suppression in cultured rat pituitary cells treated with 1 ng of LHRH,” Endocrinology, 1980, 106:675-683 (in vitro,) and Corbin et al., “Antiovulatory activity (AOA) in rats,” Endocr. Res. Commun. 1975, 2:1-23 (in vivo). Particular test protocols that may be used are described below.

For example, GnRH-receptor antagonists may be functionally assessed by measurement of change in extracellular acidification rates as follows. The ability of compounds to block the extracellular rate of acidification mediated by GnRH in HEK 293 cells expressing human GnRH receptors is determined as a measure of the compound's antagonist activity in vitro. Approximately 100,000 cells/chamber are immobilized in agarose suspension medium (Molecular Devices) and perfused with unbuffered MEM media utilizing the Cytosensor® Microphysiometer (Molecular Devices). Cells are allowed to equilibrate until the basal acidification rate remains stable (approximately one hour). Control dose-response curves are performed to GnRH (10⁻¹¹M to 10⁻⁷ M). Compounds are allowed to incubate 15 minutes prior to stimulation with GnRH, and are assessed for antagonist activity. After incubation with test compounds, repeat dose-response curves to GnRH in the presence or absence of various concentrations of the test compounds are obtained. Schild regression analysis is performed on compounds to determine whether compounds antagonize GnRH-mediated increases in extracellular acidification rates through a competitive interaction with the GnRH receptor.

In another test, accumulation of total inositol phosphates may be measured by formic acid extraction from cells, followed by separation of the phosphates on Dowex columns. Cells are split using trypsin into two 12-well plates and pre-labeled with ³H-myoinositol (0.5 Ci-2 mCi per mL) for 16-18 hours in inositol-free medium. The medium is then aspirated and the cells rinsed with either 1×HBSS, 20 mM HEPES (pH 7.5), or serum-free DMEM, 1×HBSS, 20 mM HEPES (pH 7.5) containing agonist, and 20 mM LiCl is then added and the cells are incubated for the desired time. The medium is aspirated and the reaction stopped by addition of ice-cold 10 mM formic acid, which also serves to extract cellular lipids. Inositol phosphates are separated by ion-exchange chromatography on Dowex columns, which are then washed with 5 mL of 10 mM myoinositol and 10 mM formic acid. The columns are then washed with 10 mL of 6 mL sodium formate and 5 mM borax, and total inositol phosphates are eluted with 4.5 mL 1M ammonium formate, 0.1M formic acid.

Preferred GnRH agents of the invention include those having a K, value of about 10 μM or less. Especially preferred GnRH agents are those having a K, value in the nanomolar range.

Preferred compounds of the inventions are shown in the following table:

COMPOUND NO. STRUCTURAL FORMULA mol. weight 9

492.704 10

492.704 11

627.869 12

465.63 13

431.577 14

429.6 15

475.625 16

446.631 17

443.627 18

443.627 19

443.584 20

461.599  

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention comprise an effective GnRH-suppressing amount of at least one GnRH agent according to the invention and an inert or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. These compositions may be prepared in a unit-dosage form appropriate for the desired mode of administration, e.g., parenteral or oral.

To treat diseases or conditions mediated by GnRH agonism or antagonism, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention is administered in a suitable formulation prepared by combining a therapeutically effective amount (i.e., a GnRH-modulating amount effective to achieve therapeutic efficacy) of at least one GnRH agent of the invention (as an active ingredient) with one or more pharmaceutically suitable carriers or diluents. Such formulations may be prepared according to conventional procedures, e.g., by appropriately mixing, granulating, and compressing or dissolving the ingredients in known manners. Optionally, one or more different active ingredients, such as different GnRH antagonists, may be employed in a pharmaceutical composition.

The pharmaceutical carrier may be either a solid or liquid. Exemplary solid carriers include lactose, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and the like. Illustrative of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, water, and the like. Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include time-delay or time-release materials known in the art, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or in combination with a wax, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylmethacrylate, or the like.

A variety of pharmaceutical forms can be employed. For example, if a solid carrier is used, the preparation may be in the form of a tablet, hard-gelatin capsule, powder, pellet, troche, or lozenge. The amount of solid carrier may vary widely, with an exemplary amount ranging from about 25 mg to about 1 g. If a liquid carrier is used, the preparation may be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, soft-gelatin capsule, sterile injectable solution, suspension in an ampoule or vial, or non-aqueous liquid suspension.

To obtain a stable, water-soluble dosage form, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of Formula I may be dissolved in an aqueous solution of an organic or inorganic acid, such as 0.3M solution of succinic acid or, more preferably, citric acid. If a soluble salt form is not available, the agent may be dissolved in one or more suitable cosolvents. Examples of suitable cosolvents include alcohol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 300, polysorbate 80, gylcerin, and the like in concentrations ranging from 0% to 60% of the total volume. In an exemplary embodiment, a compound of Formula I is dissolved in DMSO and diluted with water. The composition may also be in the form of a solution of a salt form of a compound of the Formula I in an appropriate aqueous vehicle, such as water, or isotonic saline or dextrose solutions.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be manufactured using conventional techniques, e.g., mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifiying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophilizing processes. Pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in a conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers comprising excipients or auxiliaries selected to facilitate processing of the active compounds into pharmaceutical preparations. An appropriate formulation is selected in view of the route of administration chosen.

For preparing injectable preparations, the agents of the invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation and may be selected from those known in the art.

For oral administration, the agents may be formulated readily by combining the active ingredient(s) with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers known in the art. Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated. Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combining one or more agents with a solid excipient, optionally grinding the resulting mixture into granules, and processing the mixture of granules after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients include fillers such as sugars (e.g., lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol) and cellulose preparations (e.g., maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)). If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as crosslinked PVP, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose, concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally contain guru arabic, PVP, Carbopol™ gel, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and/or one or more suitable organic solvents. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterize different combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical forms that are suitable for oral administration include push-ft capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules may contain the active ingredient(s) in admixture with one or more fillers such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compound may be dissolved or suspended in a suitable liquid, such as fatty oil, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycol. In addition, stabilizers may be added. For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in a conventional manner.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds for use according to the present invention may be conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebuliser, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, or another suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of, e.g., gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the agent and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

The agents may be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection may be prepared in unit-dosage form, e.g., in ampoules, or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing, and/or dispersing agents.

Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Aqueous injectable suspensions may contain substances increasing the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents increasing the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use. The compounds may also be formulated as rectal compositions, such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described above, the compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long-acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example, as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion-exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

An exemplary pharmaceutical carrier for the hydrophobic compounds of the invention is a cosolvent system comprising benzyl alcohol, a nonpolar surfactant, a water-miscible organic polymer, and an aqueous phase. The cosolvent system may be the VPD co-solvent system (VPD is a solution of 3% w/v benzyl alcohol, 8% w/v of the nonpolar surfactant polysorbate 80, and 65% w/v polyethylene glycol 300, made up to volume in absolute ethanol). The VPD co-solvent system (VPD:5W) is comprised of VPD diluted 1:1 with a 5% dextrose-in-water solution. This co-solvent system dissolves hydrophobic compounds well, and the resulting formulation produces low toxicity upon systemic administration. As will be apparent, the proportions of a suitable co-solvent system may be varied in light of the solubility and toxicity characteristics. Furthermore, the identity of the co-solvent components may be varied: for example, other low-toxicity nonpolar surfactants may be used instead of polysorbate 80; the fraction size of polyethylene glycol may be varied; one or more other biocompatible polymers (e.g., PVP) may be added or replace polyethylene glycol; and other sugars or polysaccharides may be substituted for dextrose.

Alternatively, other delivery systems for hydrophobic pharmaceutical compounds may be employed. Liposomes and emulsions are known examples of delivery vehicles or carriers for hydrophobic drugs and may be used to formulate suitable preparations. Certain organic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide also may be employed, although this may cause an increase in toxicity. Additionally, delivery may be achieved using a sustained-release system, such as semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the therapeutic agent. Various sustained-release materials are available and known to those skilled in the art. Sustained-release capsules may, depending on their chemical nature, release the compounds for a period lasting from a few weeks or up to over 100 days. Depending on the chemical nature and the biological stability of the therapeutic agent, additional techniques for protein stabilization may be readily employed.

The pharmaceutical compositions also may comprise suitable solid- or gel-phase carriers or excipients. Examples of such carriers or excipients include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, and polymers such as polyethylene glycols.

Some of the compounds of the invention may be provided as salts with pharmaceutically compatible counter-ions. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be formed with many acids, including hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, and like acids. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the corresponding free-base forms.

It will be appreciated that the actual dosages of the agents used in the compositions of this invention will vary according to the particular complex being used, the particular composition formulated, the mode of administration, and the particular site, host, and disease being treated. Optimal dosages for a given set of conditions may be ascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional dosage-determination tests in view of the experimental data for a given compound. For oral administration, an exemplary daily dose generally employed will be from about 0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg of body weight, with courses of treatment repeated at appropriate intervals. Administration of prodrugs may be dosed at weight levels that are chemically equivalent to the weight levels of the fully active compounds.

Examples of specific pharmaceutical preparations in accordance with the invention are provided below.

Parenteral Composition: To prepare a pharmaceutical composition of this invention suitable for administration by injection, 100 mg of a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble salt of a compound of Formula I is dissolved in DMSO and then mixed with 10 mL of 0.9% sterile saline. The resulting mixture is incorporated into a unit-dosage form suitable for administration by injection.

Oral Composition: To prepare an orally administerable pharmaceutical composition, 100 mg of a compound of Formula I is mixed with 750 mg of lactose. The resulting mixture is incorporated into a unit-dosage form suitable for oral administration, such as a hard-gelatin capsule.

Synthesis of GnRH Reagents and Compounds

A. Building Block Example:

Naphthalene-Based Building Blocks: A useful acylating agent is prepared by sequential Friedel-Crafts alkylations and is shown below:

 

Compound 2 can be prepared as follows:

2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-hexanediol (200 grams, 1.37 mole) was added as a solid portion wise to 3 liters of concentrated hydrochloric acid in a large Erlenmeyer flask. The diol quickly dissolved in the hydrochloric acid and the desired product 2,5-dichloro-2,5-dimethylhexane precipitated out of solution as it was formed. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. One liter of 50% ethyl acetate in hexanes were added and the organic later separated and washed several times with water (until neutral by pH paper). The organic solvents were removed in vacuo at room temperature. The crude 2,5-dichloro-2,5-dimethylhexane was dissolved in hexanes and plugged through a pad of silica gel (10:1 ratio) and eluted with hexanes. This final filtration step gives a white solid after removal of the organic solvent in vacuo. Recovery of pure 2,5-dichloro-2,5-dimethylhexane was 230 grams 92% yield. 1H NMR (CDCl₃, delta): 1.96 (4H, s); 1.61 (12H, s).

Using a similar procedure 2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentanediol was converted to 2,4-dichloro-2,4-dimethylpentane. 1H NMR (CDCl₃, delta): 2.42 (2H, s); 1.73 (12H, s).

1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene 4. To a solution of 2.5 dichloro-2,5 dimethylhexane 2 (10 g, 54.7 mmol) in toluene (270 Ml, 0.2 M) is slowly added aluminum trichloride (5.47 g, 41 mmol) as a solid over a 15-minute period. The reaction is complete after 10 minutes as assayed by tlc in hexanes. The unreacted aluminum trichloride is quenched slowly with water over 10 minutes. Additional toluene (250 mL) is added to extract the product from the aqueous layer. The organic layer is passed through a pad of silica gel (40 g) and eluted with toluene. The organic layer is evaporated in vacuo to dryness to yield 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene 4 (11 g, 97% yield). NMR 1.29 (s, 6H), 1.28 (s, 6H), 1.69 (s, 4H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 7.22 (d, 1H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 6.97 (dd, 1H).

Methyl 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoate 6: To a solution containing 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene 4 (20 g, 99 mmol) and methyl 5-(chloromethyl)-2-furoate 5 (17.28 g, 99 mmol) in methylene chloride (500 mL, 0.2 M), aluminum trichloride (16.46 g, 124 mmol) is added slowly as a solid at the reflux temperature of methylene chloride. The solution is refluxed for an additional two hours. The reaction is monitored by tlc in 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes solution. The reaction is cooled to room temperature and the unreacted aluminum trichloride is quenched with water over 15 minutes. The crude product is extracted with methylene chloride and passed through silica gel (80 g) and eluted with methylene chloride. The solvent is evaporated in vacuo to syrup. The crude product us purified with silica gel (300 g) via a plug filtration column. Methyl 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoate 6 is eluted with 2% ethyl acetate/hexanes to afford 15.4 g (46% yield). NMR 1.25 (s, 6H), 1.28 (s, 6H), 1.67 (s, 4H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.97 (s, 2H), 5.95 (d, 1H), 7.09 (m, 3H).

5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoic acid 7: To a solution containing methyl 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl) methyl]-2-furoate 6 (15.1 g, 44 mmol) in MeOH (175 mL) and water (175 mL), a solution of NaOH (3.53 g, 88.3 mmol) in water (29 mL) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight. After completion as judged by tlc, the solution is acidified with 1M HCl to pH 2. The crude product is extracted into organic layer using ethyl acetate, and concentrated to afford 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoic acid 7 (15.0 g, 99% yield). NMR 1.26 (s, 6H), 1.28 (s, 6H), 1.68 (s, 4H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 4.00 (s, 2H), 6.01 (d, 1H), 7.10 (s, 21), 7.23 (d, 1H).

5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoyl chloride 8: To a solution containing 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoic acid 7 (20.15 g, 61.77 mmol) in methylene chloride (310 mL), thionyl chloride (45 mL, 617 mmol) is added. The reaction is refluxed for 5 hours and another batch of thionyl chloride (45 mL, 617 mmol) is added. The reaction is stirred overnight at room temperature. The solution is concentrated to a syrup and passed through a pad of silica gel (50 g), washed with 3% hexanes, and concentrated in vacuo to afford 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoyl chloride 8 (17 g, 80% yield). NMR 1.26 (s, 6H), 1.28 (s, 6H), 1.68 (s, 4H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 4.00 (s, 2H), 6.11 (d, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H).

Additional building blocks can be prepared under these reaction conditions which contain a variety of functional groups contained in the general formula shown above.

B. Acylation Examples:

The next scheme shows several examples which can use the general synthetic procedure for acylations given below.

REAGENT EXAMPLES COUPLING TO Y

 

Amines are dissolved or suspended in dichloromethane, dichloroethane, ethyl acetate, acetonitrile, or the like (0.2M concentration) followed by the addition of the acid chloride reagent (1.00 mmol. equiv.). To the mixture is added triethyl amine (5.00 mmol. equiv.) and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 12-48 hours. The solvents are removed in vacuo. The product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with an appropriate elution solvent (e.g., 3:1 hexanes:ethyl acetate). The solvents are removed in vacuo to yield the acylated product.

As an alternative, the reaction mixture is diluted with dichloromethane (five times the amount of dichloromethane used) and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with an appropriate elution solvent (e.g., 3:1 hexanes:ethyl acetate). The solvents are removed in vacuo to yield the acylated product.

Using the general reaction protocol, large numbers of compounds can be readily prepared and assayed for their activities either as pure or impure materials. The reaction protocol works well on anilines, amines, benzyl amines, hydrazines, hydrazides, alcohols and the like.

Specific examples showing a variety of structures acylated according to a general procedure are shown below:

COMPOUND NO. STRUCTURE mol. weight 9

492.704 10

492.704 11

627.869 12

465.63 13

431.577 14

429.6 15

475.625 16

446.631 17

443.627 18

443.627 19

443.584 20

461.599   C. Synthesis and Acylation of Guanidine-Containing Compounds:

 

Step 1—Preparation of Protected Compound by 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethylation: Alternative Steps 1(A) and 1(B) below provide two general 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethylation procedures.

Step 1(A): To a solution of diamine (2.00 mmol equiv.) in THF (0.7 M) is added a solution of 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine) (1.00 mmol equiv.) in THF (0.7M). The solution is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours (h), or until DO further transformation can be observed by tlc (thin-layer chromatography). The solvent is removed under reduced pressure to give a syrupy residue, which is taken up in ethyl acetate (˜1.5 times the volume amount of THF used in the reaction or the volume of solvent needed to dissolve the amount of residue obtained) and washed with water until neutral pH. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. The product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with an appropriate elution solvent (which may be readily determined, e.g., using 5% MeOH in dichloromethane as a starting point). The solvents are removed in vacuo to afford the 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-linked-amine. In addition other reagents can be used to place a protected N,N′-diBoc-guanidine unit on diamines, such as 1,3-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea (CAS No. 107819-90-0). Alternatively, the 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine) can be added directly as a solid, rather than as a solution as described above.

Step 1(B): To a solution of diamine (1.00 mmol equiv.) in THF (0.07M) is added portionwise as a solid (over a 10-minute time period) 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxy-carbonyl)carboxamidine) (1.00 mmol equiv.). The solution is stirred at room temperature for 0.5 hour. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure to give a syrupy residue, which is taken up in ethyl acetate (0.5 times the volume amount of THF used in the reaction, or the volume of solvent needed to dissolve the amount of residue obtained) and washed twice with water. The layers are separated, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with 100% ethyl acetate to remove any non-polar impurities and then with 100% isopropyl alcohol to give the pure product. The solvents are removed in vacuo to afford the desired product. Typical TLC conditions are 15:85:0.1 methanol/chloroform/acetic acid. Typical yields range from 40% to 44% of the desired protected compound.

Step 2—Reductive Amination (optional): Reductive amination may be accomplished in a suitable manner. For reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with sodium triacetoxyborohydride, see generally. Abdel-Magid et al., J. Org Chem., 1996, 61:3849. Two alternate reductive-aminations procedures are described below.

Step 2(A): 3,5,5,8,8-Pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphth-aldehyde (1.00 mmol equiv.) and 1-N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-linked-amine (1.00 mmol equiv.) are dissolved in methanol (0.09M). Then, 1% glacial acetic acid in methanol solution (10% of the volume of methanol used) is added followed by NaCNBH₃ (1.00 mmol equiv.), and the reaction contents are stirred overnight. The reaction is assayed by TLC to reveal three components (aldehyde, desired product, and starting guanidine derivative). The reaction is terminated by adding water (50% of the volume of methanol used), extracted with dichloromethane (10 times the volume of methanol used), and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. The product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with an appropriate elution solvent (e.g., 3:1 ethyl acetate in hexanes to remove the unreacted aldehyde, followed by elution with 1:1 ethyl acetate in hexanes), obtaining the desired reductive amination product. In some cases, warning to reflux for 2 hours will facilitate the imine formation reaction. See also, Abdel-Magid et al., J. Org. Chem., 1996, 61:3849, which describes the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with sodium triacetoxyborohydride.

Step 2(B): 3,5,5,8,8-Pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphth-aldehyde (1.00 mmol equiv.) and 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-linked-amine (1.00 mmol equiv.) are dissolved in methanol (0.09M). Then, NaBH₄ (1.00 mmol equiv.) is added (in ethanol via the additional small-scale procedures given below, or carefully as a solid) and the reaction contents are stirred overnight. The reaction is assayed by TLC to reveal three components (aldehyde, desired product and starting guanidine derivative). The reaction is terminated by the addition of water (50% of the volume of methanol used), extracted with dichloromethane (10 times the volume of methanol used), and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. The product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with an appropriate elution solvent (as can be readily determined by the skilled artisan or, for example, with 3:1 ethyl acetate in hexanes to remove the unreacted aldehyde followed by elution with 1:1 ethyl acetate in hexanes) to obtain the desired reductive-amination product. In some cases, warming to reflux for 2 hours should facilitate the imine-formation reaction.

Step 3— Acylation: The products from the reductive amination (1.00 mmol equiv.) are dissolved in dichloromethane (˜0.2 to 0.05M, depending on solubilities of the substrates), followed by the addition of triethylamine (2.00 mmol equiv.) and 2-furoyl chloride reagent 8 (1.00 mmol equiv.). The reaction contents are stirred overnight at room temperature (RT). The reaction mixture is diluted with dichloromethane (5 times the amount of dichloromethane used) and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with an appropriate elution solvent (e.g., 3:1 hexanes:ethyl acetate). The solvents are removed in vacuo to yield the acylated product.

Step 4— Basic Group Deprotection: The product from the acylation step (1.00 mmol equiv.) is dissolved in a solution of 25-50% TFA in dichloromethane (0.02M), and the reaction contents are stirred at room temperature (15-20 minutes; solution becomes slight reddish-orange). The reaction contents are stirred for an additional 1 hour and 20 minutes or until the BOC deprotection is complete. The reaction is terminated by concentration in vacuo, followed by the addition of water/acetonitrile (0.006M) and lyophilization overnight. The final compound is purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology. The solvents are removed in vacuo (yields range from 30% to 50%) to give the product.

An alternate procedure for removing of N,N′-bis-BOC guanidines using tin tetrachloride, which can give the corresponding guanidinium chloride salts, is described in Miel et al., Tetrahedron Letters, 1997, 38:7865-7866.

Compound 9 may be prepared according to the steps shown above with the exclusion of step #2, as shown in the following scheme:

 

Preparation of Reagents: Reagents useful for synthesizing compounds may be obtained or prepared according to techniques known in the art. For example, the preparation of free amines from common salt forms and stock reagent solutions can be useful for small-scale reactions. See also Abdel-Magid et al., “Reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with sodium triacetoxyborohydride,” J. Org. Chem., 1996, 61:3849.

Methanolic solutions of the free bases can be prepared from hydrochloride, dihydrochloride, hydrobromide, or other salts when the free base is soluble in methanol. In this procedure, once the sodium methoxide is added, care should be taken to prevent exposure to air, since amine free bases, particularly primary amines, absorb carbon dioxide from the air to form salts. A 10-mL quantity of a 0.1M solution of a free base in methanol may be prepared as follows. Weigh 1.0 mmol of a monohydrochloride salt into a tared Erlenmeyer flask containing a stirring bar, and add 7 mL of methanol. To the stirred slurry, add 229 mL (1.0 mmol, 1 equiv.) of sodium methoxide in methanol (25 wt %, 4.37M), stopper the flask, and stir the mixture vigorously for 2 hours. The slurry will sometimes change in appearance as a finer, milky precipitate of sodium chloride is formed. Filter the slurry through a 15-mL medium fritted glass funnel, wash the filter case with 1-2 mL methanol, transfer the filtrate to a 20-mL vial, and dilute to 10 mL with methanol. The theoretical yield of sodium chloride is nearly 59 mg, but the recovery is usually not quantitative, owing to a slight solubility in methanol. For a dihydrochloride salt, a second equivalent of sodium methoxide is required (458 mL).

A 0.5M solution of sodium borohydride in ethanol may be prepared as follows. Sodium borohydride (520 mg, 13.8 mmol) is stirred in pure (non-denatured) anhydrous ethanol (25 mL) for ˜2-3 minutes. The suspension is filtered through a medium fritted glass funnel to remove a small amount of undissolved solid (typically about 5% of the total mass of borohydride, or 25 mg). The filtrate should appears as a colorless solution that evolves only a little hydrogen. This solution should be used immediately, as it decomposes significantly over a period of a few hours, resulting in the formation of a gelatinous precipitate. Sodium borohydride is hygroscopic, so avoid exposure to air by making the solution at once after weighing the solid. Sodium borohydride has a solubility of about 4% in ethanol at room temperature. This corresponds to a little over 0.8M. However, sometimes a small percentage of the solid remains undissolved regardless of the concentration being prepared, even after stirring for >5 minutes.

To perform small-scale synthesis of compounds of the Formula I, the reactions described below may be performed to prepare various reactants useful in the reaction scheme described above. As with the rest of the specification, all temperatures in the following description are in degrees Celsius and all parts and percentages are by weight, unless indicated otherwise.

Various starting materials and other reagents may be purchased from commercial suppliers, such as Aldrich Chemical Company or Lancaster Synthesis Ltd., and used without further purification, unless otherwise indicated. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) are purchased from Aldrich in SureSeal® bottles and used as received. All solvents are purified by using standard methods in the art, unless otherwise indicated.

The reactions set forth below are performed under a positive pressure of nitrogen or with a drying tube, at ambient temperature (unless otherwise stated), in anhydrous solvents, and the reaction flasks are fitted with rubber septa for the introduction of substrates and reagents via syringe. Glassware is oven-dried and/or heat-dried. Analytical thin-layer chromatography is performed on glass-backed silica gel 60° F. 254 plates (Analtech (0.25 mm)) and eluted with the appropriate solvent ratios (v/v). The reactions are assayed by TLC and terminated as judged by the so consumption of starting material.

The tip plates are visualized with a p-anisaldehyde spray reagent or phosphomolybdic acid reagent (Aldrich Chemical, 20 wt % in ethanol) and activated with heat. Work-ups are typically done by doubling the reaction volume with the reaction solvent or extraction solvent and then washing with the indicated aqueous solutions using 25% by volume of the extraction volume (unless otherwise indicated). Product solutions are dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ prior to filtration, and evaporation of the solvents is under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator and noted as solvents removed in vacuo. Flash column chromatography (Still et al., A.J. Org. Chem., 1978, 43;2923) is conducted using Baker-grade flash silica gel (47-61 mm) and a silica gel:crude material ratio of about 20:1 to 50:1, unless otherwise stated. Hydrogenolysis is done at the pressure indicated or at ambient pressure.

¹H-NMR spectra are recorded on a Bruker instrument operating at 300 MHz, and ¹³C-NMR spectra are recorded operating at 75 MHz. NM spectra are obtained as CDCl₃ solutions (reported in ppm), using chloroform as the reference standard (7.25 ppm and 77.00 ppm) or CD₃OD (3.4 and 4.8 ppm and 49.3 ppm), or an internal tetramethylsilane standard (0.00 ppm) when appropriate. Other NMR solvents are used as needed. When peak multiplicities are reported, the following abbreviations are used: s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, m=multiplet, br=broadened, dd=doublet of doublets, dt=doublet of triplets. Coupling constants, when given, are reported in Hertz.

Infrared spectra are recorded on a Perkin-Elmer FT-IR Spectrometer as neat oils, as KBr pellets, or as CDCl₃ solutions, and when reported are in wave numbers (cm⁻1). The mass spectra are obtained using LSIMS or electrospray. All melting points are uncorrected.

Preparation of the Building Block 1-H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidine:

  1-H-pyrazole-1-carboxamidine is prepared according to Bernatowicz et al., J. Org. Chem., 1992, 57:2497-2502 (and references therein), and protected with di-tert-butyldicarbonate to give 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine) according to Drake et al., Synth., 1994, 579-582.

Preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-4-aminomethylcyclohexane:

 

To a solution of 1,4-bis-aminomethyl-cyclohexane 22 (20 g, 0.14 mol) in THF (200 mL) is added a solution of 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine) 21 (22.0 g, 0.07 mol) in THF (100 mL). (Note that 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl) carboxamidine) does not need to be dissolved in THF; rather it may be added neat as a solid to the process.) The solution is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure to give a syrupy residue, which is taken up in ethyl acetate (500 mL) and washed with water until neutral pH. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated. The product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with 5% MeOH in dichloromethane. The solvents are removed in vacuo to afford 11.6 g (43% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-4-aminomethyl cyclohexane (Compound 23). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.5 (br s, 1H), 8.35 (br s, 1H), 3.26 (dt, 2H), 2.52 (dd, 2H), 1.82-0.97 (m, 28H, with singlet at 1.5).

An alternate preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-3-aminomethylcyclohexane is as follows. To a solution of cis/trans 1,4-bis-aminomethyl-cyclohexane (9.0 g, 63.3 mmol) in THF (903 mL, 0.07M) is added portionwise as a solid (over a 10 minute period) 1-H-Pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine) (19.6 g, 63.3 mmol). The solution is stirred at room temperature for 0.5 hour. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure to give a syrupy residue, which is taken up in ethyl acetate (500 mL) and washed twice with water. The layers are separated and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with 100% ethyl acetate to remove any non-polar impurities, followed by elution with 100% isopropyl alcohol, to give the pure product. The solvents are removed in vacuo to afford 10.2 g (42% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-4-aminomethylcyclohexane. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.5 (br s, 1H), 8.35 (br s, 1H), 3.26 (dt, 2H), 2.52 (dd, 2H), 1.82-0.97 (m, 28H, with singlet at 1.5).

Reductive Amination.

 

3,5,5,8,8-Pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphth-aldehyde (0.2021 g, 0.88 mmol) and 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-4-aminomethylcyclohexane (Compound 23, 0.337 g, 0.88 mmol) are dissolved in methanol (10 mL). Then, 1% glacial acetic acid in methanol (100 μL) solution is added followed by NaCNBH₃ (55.4 mg, 0.88 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), and the reaction contents are stirred overnight. The reaction is assayed by TLC to reveal three components (aldehyde, desired product, and starting guanidine derivative). The reaction is terminated by the addition of water (˜5 mL), extracted with dichloromethane (˜100 mL), and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, concentrated, and subjected to column chromatography eluting with 3:1 ethyl acetate in hexanes to remove the unreacted aldehyde, followed by eluting with 1:1 ethyl acetate in hexanes, yielding the desired product (Compound 25, cyclohexyl, cis/trans mixture). The solvents are removed in vacuo (typical general yields range from 50 to 80%).

Preparation of the Acylated Derivative Followed by Deprotection of Guanidine:

 

The product from the reductive amination 25 (1.0 equiv.) is dissolved in dichloromethane (10-15 mL), followed by the addition of triethylamine (2 equiv.), and 2-furoyl chloride reagent (1.0 equiv.). The reaction contents are stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction is diluted with dichloromethane (50 mL) and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and purified by column chromatography and eluted using 3:1 hexanes in ethyl acetate. The solvents are removed in vacuo to give Compound 26.

The product from the acylation reaction 26 (1.0 equiv.) is dissolved in a solution of 50% TFA in dichloromethane (20-25 mL), and the reaction contents are stirred at room temperature (15-20 minutes; solution becomes slight reddish-orange). The reaction contents are stirred for an additional 1 hour and 20 minutes until the deprotection is complete. The reaction is terminated by concentration in vacuo, followed by the addition of water/acetonitrile (˜50 mL) and lyophilization overnight. The final compound is purified by HPLC methods. The solvents are removed in vacuo to give Compound 27.

The following discussion relates to the preparation of exemplary Compounds (e)-(k). Compounds (e)-(k) may be used as described above to produce the corresponding deprotected (free guanidinyl) compounds, through hydrolysis under acid conditions.

Preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-3-aminomethylcyclohexane:

 

To a solution of cis/trans-1,3-bis-aminomethylcyclohexane (7.5 g, 52.8 mmol) in THF (30 mL) is added a solution of 1,3-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)₂-methyl-2-thiopseudourea (7.65 g, 26.3 mmol) in THF (40 mL) within 0.5 hour. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol as the eluant, to afford 2.2 g (22% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-3-aminomethylcyclohexane (Compound (e)). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.53 (br s, 1H), 8.40 (br s, 1H), 3.28-3.30 (m, 2H), 2.54-2.61 (m, 2H), 1.81 (br s, 2H), 1.27-1.58 (m, 26H), 0.89 (m, 1H), 0.65 (m, 1H).

Alternatively, Compound (e) may be prepared as follows. To a solution of cis/trans 1,3-bis-aminomethylcyclohexane (10.0 g, 70.3 mmol) in THF (1000 mL, 0.07M) is added portionwise as a solid (over a 10-minute period) 1-H-Pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine) (21.8 g, 70.3 mmol). The solution is stirred at room temperature for 0.5 hour. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure to give a syrupy residue, which is taken up in ethyl acetate (500 mL) and washed twice with water. The layers are separated, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with 100% ethyl acetate to remove any non-polar impurities, followed by elution with 100% isopropyl alcohol to give the pure product. The solvents are removed in vacuo to afford 11.4 g (41% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-3-aminomethylcyclohexane. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.53 (br s, 1H), 8.40 (br s, 1H), 3.28-3.30 (m, 2H), 2.54-2.61 (m, 2H), 1.81 (br s, 2H), 1.27-1.58 (m, 26H), 0.89 (m, 1H), 0.65 (m, 1H).

Preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-4-aminomethylbenzene:

  To a solution of p-xylylenediamine (6.44 g, 47.4 mmol) in THF (30 mL) is added a solution of 1,3-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea (6.63 g, 22.9 mmol) in THF (40 mL) within 0.5 hour. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol as the eluant, to afford 8.0 g (92% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-4-aminomethyl benzene (Compound (f)). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.54 (br s, 1H), 8.56 (br s, 1H), 7.29 (s, 4H), 4.60 (d, 2H), 3.86 (s, 2H), 1.64 (br s, 2H), 1.52 (s, 9H), 1.48 (s, 9H).

Preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-3-aminomethylbenzene:

 

To a solution of m-xylylenediamine (7.14 g, 52.5 mmol) in THF (30 mL) is added a solution of 1,3-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea (7.57 g, 26.1 mmol) in THF (40 mL) within 0.5 hour. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol as the eluant, to afford 7.9 g (80% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-3-aminomethylbenzene (Compound (g)). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 11.54 (br s, 1H), 8.58 (br s, 1H), 7.19-7.34 (m, 4H), 4.62 (d, 2H), 3.86 (s, 2H), 1.83 (br s, 2H), 1.52 (s, 9H), 1.48 (s, 9H).

Preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidine-4-aminobutane:

 

To a solution of 1,4-diaminobutane (4.15 g, 47.1 mmol) in THF (30 mL) is added a solution of 1,3-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea (6.83 g, 23.6 mmol) in THE (40 mL) within 0.5 hour. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol as the eluant, to afford 3.0 g (40% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidino-4-aminobutane (Compound (h)). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.49 (br s, 1H), 8.35 (br s, 1H), 3.42-3.47 (m, 2H), 2.72-2.76 (t, 2H), 0.86-1.65 (m, 24H).

An alternate procedure for preparing Compound (h) is as follows. To a solution of 1,4-diaminobutane (6.0 g, 68.1 mmol) in TH (972 mL, 0.07M) is added portionwise as a solid (over a 10-minute period) 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine) (21.5 g, 68.1 mmol). The solution is stirred at room temperature for 0.5 hour. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure to give a syrupy residue, which is taken up in ethyl acetate (500 mL) and washed twice with water. The layers are separated and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with 100% ethyl acetate to remove any non-polar impurities and then with 100% isopropyl alcohol to give the pure product. The solvents are removed in vacuo to afford 10.0 g (44% yield) of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidino-4-aminobutane. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 11.49 (br s, 1H), 8.35 (br s, 1H), 3.42-3.47 (m, 2H), 2.72-2.76 (t, 2H), 0.86-1.65 (m, 24H).

Preparation of 1-N,N-dimethylaminomethyl-4-aminomethylbenzene:

 

To a solution of 1-N,N-dimethyl aminomethyl-4-carbonitrile benzene (4.8 g, 30 mmol) in THF is added a solution of 1 M borane tetrahydrofuran complex (90 mL). The mixture is heated at reflux temperature for 16 hours under nitrogen. After cooling to room temperature, a 1M solution of HCl in methanol (100 mL) is added. The reaction mixture is heated at reflux for 3 hours. The product, which precipitates, is collected by filtration, washed with diethyl ether, and dried in vacuo to give 5.9 g (83% yield) of the product as the hydrochloride salt (Compound (i)): ¹H NMR (DMSO-d) δ 8.65 (br s, 3H), 7.55 (dd, 4H), 4.25 (s, 2H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 2.62 (s, 6H).

Preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-2-aminomethylbenzene:

 

To a solution of o-xylylenediamine (7.14 g, 52.5 mmol) in THF (30 mL) is added a solution of 1,3-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea (7.57 g, 26.1 mmol) in THF (40 mL) within 0.5 hour. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol as the eluant, to afford 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-3-aminomethyl benzene (Compound (j)).

Alternatively, Compound (j) may be prepared in a manner analogous to the alternative preparation described above for Compound (e).

Preparation of 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-2-aminomethylcyclohexane:

 

To a solution of cis/trans-1,2-bis-aminomethylcyclohexane (7.5 g, 52.8 mmol) in THF (30 mL) is added a solution of 1,3-bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea (7.65 g, 26.3 mmol) in THF (40 mL) within 0.5 hour. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of methylene chloride/methanol as the eluant, to afford 1-(N,N′-diBoc)-guanidinomethyl-2-aminomethylcyclohexane (Compound (k)).

Alternatively, Compound (k) may be prepared in a manner analogous to the alternative preparation described above for Compound (e).

D. Pyrimidine Compounds

Pyrimidines can be utilized according to the following procedures:

 

A general procedure for the preparation of pyrimidine containing compounds is as follows. To a solution of 1.3 diamine 29 in THF is added 28 and the contents refluxed for 12 hours. The solvents are removed in vacuo and the desired adduct purified by column chromatography. Pure 31 is acylated according to the general procedure given above to give 11.

As skilled artisans will appreciate, a variety of compounds according to the invention may be prepared based on the above teachings. The chemical reactions described above have general applicability to the preparation of the GnRH agents of the invention. Thus, other GnRH agents may be similarly prepared by suitable modification as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, e.g., by protection of interfering groups, by adapting for use with other conventional reagents, and/or by routine modifications of reaction conditions.

In Vitro Pharmacology Radioligand Binding.

Cell membranes prepared from human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably transfected with cDNA for the human GnRH receptor were suspended in binding assay buffer containing: 50 mM HEPES, 1 mM EDTA, 2.5 mM MgCl₂, and 0.1% bovine serum albumin. Membranes (5-50 μg total protein per well containing approximately 10-100 fmol of GnRH receptor) were incubated in duplicate in 96-well plates in 200 μl total volume with ¹²⁵I-GnRH-A (approximately 0.05 nM) and test compounds for one hour at room temperature. All compounds were diluted in 1% DMSO (final assay concentration) in binding assay buffer. Nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of 100 nM GnRH. Reactions were terminated by rapid filtration onto 96-well Packard GF/C filters soaked in 0.1% polyethyleneimine. Filters were washed three times with PBS buffer, dried and counted on a Packard Topcount by liquid scintillation counting.

Assay conditions were identical for assessing compound activities at other species. A similar number of GnRH receptors was utilized for each species assay. For rat GnRH receptor-binding, membranes were prepared from rat pituitary and approximately 25-30 μg/well of total membrane protein were utilized. For bovine GnRH receptor binding, membranes were prepared from bovine pituitary and utilized at 40-50 μg/well. For mouse GnRH receptor binding, membranes were prepared from 293 cells stably expressing mouse GnRH receptors and were utilized at approximately 25-30 μg/well. IC₅₀ values for control peptides and test compounds were calculated utilizing GraphPad Prism™ software. The result of a radioligand binding experiment is shown in FIG. 1. Table 1 shows mean values from multiple experiments of the affinities of various peptide and non-peptide compounds at GnRH receptors from four species.

FIG. 1. Effects of compounds on ¹²⁵I-GnRH-A binding to hGnRH receptors expressed in HEK-293 cells. The ability of GnRH (squares) and 9 (triangles) to displace ¹²⁵1-GnRH-A (approximately 0.05 nM) binding to hGnRH receptors was examined. Values shown are from one representative experiment performed in duplicate.

Various compounds of the Formula I were synthesized according to the general reaction scheme generally described above. Crude compounds were tested using the competitive radioligand binding assay described above. Results of the GnRH competitive binding assay are shown in the table (each compound tested at 1 or 10 μM).

TABLE 1 Human IC₅₀ Bovine IC₅₀ Rat IC₅₀ Mouse IC₅₀ Compound (nM) (nM) (nM) (nM) GnRH  7.2 ± 1.5 13 ± 2   33 ± 1.9 11 ± 2  GnRH-A  0.34 ± 0.06  0.3 ± 0.05 0.49 ± 0.1 0.22 ± 0.03 Antide  0.67 ± 0.09  0.15 ± 0.02  0.19 ± 0.04 0.25 ± 0.05  9 220 ± 33 3800 ± 220  680 ± 120 2300 ± 460  10 130 ± 24 1500 ± 480 390 ± 10 1400 ± 440  11 190 ± 40 320 ± 10  9.0 ± 0.3 50 ± 10 12 230 ± 37 10400 ± 3000 3080 ± 630 7130 ± 1350 13 110 ± 20  530 ± 100 60 ± 8 120 ± 20  14 80 ± 4 1050 ± 30   60 ± 15 290 ± 70  15 100 ± 17 1000 ± 240  70 ± 16 220 ± 50  16 30 ± 6 4380 ± 510 560 ± 50 1290 ± 210  17  80 ± 20  670 ± 120 30 ± 4 80 ± 20 18  55 ± 11 460 ± 90 40 ± 3 115 ± 25  19 50 ± 3 ND ND ND 20  8.0 ± 0.9 ND ND ND Values are means ± SE of at least three experiments performed in duplicate. ND = not determined.  

Total Inositol Phosphates Measurement.

To assess the activity of the compounds as agonists or antagonists, an assay measuring accumulation of total inositol phosphates was employed. 293 cells containing the hGnRH receptor were plated onto 24-well plates (approximately 200,000 cells/well) using DMEM media. The following day, cells were loaded with [³H]myoinositol (0.5 Ci/ml) for 16-18 hours in inositol-free medium. The medium was aspirated and the cells rinsed with serum-free DMEM. The medium was aspirated and the cells were then treated with test compounds or vehicle for 30 minutes at 37° C. A half-maximal concentration of GnRH (1 nM) or vehicle was then added to the cells and allowed to equilibrate at 37° C. for 45 minutes. The media was replaced with ice-cold 10 mM formic acid, which stopped the reaction and also served to extract cellular lipids. Inositol phosphates were separated by ion-exchange chromatography on Dowex columns, which were washed with 2.5 mL of 10 mM myoinositol and 10 mM formic acid. The columns were then washed with 5 mL of 60 mM sodium formate and mM borax, and total inositol phosphates were eluted with 5 mL 1M ammonium formate, 0.1 M formic acid. The column eluates were added to liquid scintillation vials containing 15 ml of scintillation cocktail and were counted by liquid scintillation counting. The result of a typical experiment is shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2. Effects of compounds on GnRH-stimulated total inositol phosphate accumulation in HEK-293 cells expressing the hGnRH receptor. The ability of the peptide antagonist, Antide, and non-peptide compound 9 to block GnRH-stimulated increases in [³H]inositol phosphates was examined. Neither compound alone stimulated an increase in total [³H]inositol phosphates (not shown), but both compounds were able to inhibit the stimulation mediated by a half-maximal concentration of GnRH peptide. GnRH alone dose-dependently increased [³H]inositol phosphate accumulation with an EC₅₀ of approximately 0.8 nM. In the experiment shown, the K_(b) values of Antide and compound 9 were determined by the method of Cheng and Prusoff (Biochem. Pharmacol. 22:3099-3108, 1973). Values shown are from one experiment performed in duplicate.

Vivo Pharmacology Animal Efficacy Studies

Experimental Protocol: Male Sprague-Dawley (225-250 g) rats were castrated and allowed 10 days postoperative recovery. Ten days post castration animals were instrumented with indwelling femoral venous and arterial catheters to facilitate remote infusions and blood sampling. On the day of the experiment, animals were allowed to acclimate to the procedure room while residing in their home cage. Basal blood samples were drawn from all animals. Following basal sampling, either vehicle (10% DMSO, 10% cremophor/saline), Antide (1.0 μg) or compound 11 (10 mg/kg) was administered intravenously. Blood samples were drawn 10, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 minutes after injections. Blood was centrifuged, serum collected and stored in −70° freezer until assayed. Serum samples were analyzed using DSL-4600 ACTIVE LH coated-tube immunoradiometric assay kit from Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc.

Results and discussion: Removal of the gonads eliminates the negative feedback of testosterone on the hypothalamus, resulting in elevated GnRH and consequently elevated LH. FIG. 3 illustrates the plasma levels of both LH and testosterone in control and castrated rats 10 days after surgery. In these rats, a GnRH antagonist would be expected to reduce GnRH mediated elevations of LH levels. Antide, a peptide GnRH antagonist, reduces LH in the castrated rat model (FIG. 4). Compound 11, a small-molecule GnRH antagonist, also suppresses LH in the castrated rat model (FIG. 4).

Pharmacokinetic Studies

Experimental protocol: Rats were prepared with intravenous catheters inserted in the superior vena cava through the incision in the right external jugular vein and allowed to recover. Drugs were dissolved in a mixture of 10% DMSO, 10% cremaphor, and 80% saline and administered i.v. at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were taken at the times indicated, and the compounds were extracted from 0.2 mL of plasma with butyl chloride containing an internal standard. Samples were analyzed by HPLC on a Beta-Basic C18 4×50 mm column using a gradient of 40-80% acetonitrile in 10 mM ammonium phosphate buffer at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Sample detection was by UV absorbance at 260 nm.

Results and Discussion: Compound 11, which has excellent affinity at the rat GnRH receptor, had a half life in rat plasma of approximately three hours and had a concentration in plasma of 100-200 nM four hours after i.v. injection (FIG. 5).

Binding of the reference peptides to rat, mouse, bovine and human GnRH receptors are in good agreement with those reported in the literature. Non-peptide compounds of the invention show marked species differences in their binding profile. Several of these compounds exhibit high affinity (<100 nM) at the human GnRH receptor. Functionally, all of these non-peptide compounds assessed for activity in an inositol phosphate assay act as antagonists of GnRH-stimulated total inositol phosphate accumulation in cells containing recombinant human GnRH receptors. Intravenous administration of compound 11 reduced plasma levels of LH in castrated male rats, a model for chronically elevated plasma LH levels. This compound has a half life of three hours, and the plasma concentration correlated with efficacy. Taken together, these data suggest that these non-peptide compounds should have utility as GnRH receptor antagonists.

Peptide Agonists and Antagonists Used as Reference Compounds:

 

The data on the compounds to follow was obtained as follows:

Cell Culture

GH₃ cells stably transfected with the rat GnRH receptor (GGH₃) were provided by Dr. William Chin (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.). These cells have been extensively characterized previously (Kaiser et al., 1997). These cells were grown in low glucose Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing: 100U/mL penicillin/streptomycin, 0.6 g/L G418 and 10% beat-inactivated fetal bovine serum

The cDNA for the human GnRH receptor was cloned into the plasmid expression vector, pcDNA 3 (In Vitrogen), and stably transfected into HEK 293 cells (hGnRH-R/293). This cell line was provided by Dr. Stuart Sealfon, Mount Sinai Medical School New York, N.Y. These cells were grown in DMEM supplemented with 0.2 g/L G418 100 U/ml penicillin/streptomycin and 10% FBS. Both GGH₃ and hGnRH-R/293 cells were utilized for both for both total inositol phosphate measurement and for microphysiometry assessment of compound efficacy.

Radioligand Preparation

The radioiodinated agonist analog of GnRH, [des-Gly¹⁰,D-Ala⁶]GnRH ethylamide (¹²⁵I-GnRH-A) was used as the radioligand. One μg of GnRH-A diluted in 0.1M acetic acid was added to an Iodogeno®-coated borosilicate glass tube (Pierce) containing 35 μl of 0.05 M phospate buffer (pH 7.4-7.6) and 1 mCi of Na[¹²⁵I]. The reaction mixture was vortexed and incubated for 1 min at room temperature. After one min, the mixture was vortexed and allowed to incubate for an additional minute. 2 ml of 0.5 M acetic acid/1% BSA was added to the reaction tube and the mixture was added to a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. The cartridge was washed with subsequent washes of 5 ml H₂O and 5 ml 0.5M acetic acid and then eluted with 5×1 ml of 60% CH₃CN/40% 0.5M acetic acid. The eluate was diluted with 3× volume of HPLC buffer A (0.1% TFA in H₂O) and loaded onto a C18 column. The iodinated product was eluted over 20-25 min with a gradient of 25-100% CH₃CN containing 0.1% TFA. The radioactive fractions (750 ed/fraction) are collected into clean polypropylene tubes containing 100 μl of 10% BSA. Fractions were assessed for biological activity by radioligand binding. Specific Activity of the radioligand was approximately 2200 Ci/mmol.

Microphysiometry.

The Cytosensor®Microphysiometer (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.) is a real-time, noninvasive, nonradioactive semiconductor-based system for monitoring the cellular responses to various stimuli. It is based on a pH-sensitive silicon sensor, the light-addressable potentiometric sensor which forms part of a microvolume flow chamber in which cultured cells are immobilized (Pitchford et al., 1995; Parce et al., 1989; Owicki, et al. 1994).

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

-   Owicki, J. C., L. J. Bousse, D. G. Hafeman, G. L. Kirk, J. D.     Olson, H. G. Wada, and J. W. Parce. The light-addressable     potentiometric sensor: principles and biological applications. Ann.     Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struc. 23:87-113, 1994. -   Parce, J. W., J. C. Owicki, K. M. Kercso, G. B. Sigal, H. G.     Wada, V. C. Muir, L. J. Bousse, K. L. Ross, B. I. Sikic, H. M.     McConnell. Detection of cell-affecting agents with a silicon     biosensor. Science 246:243-247, 1989. -   Pitchford, S. K. DeMoor, and B. S. Glaeser. Nerve growth factor     stimulates rapid metabolic responses in PC12 cells. Am. J. Physiol.     268(Cell Physiol. 37): C936-C943, 1995.

GGH₃ cells were seeded in low-buffered minimal essential media (MEM, Sigma) containing 25 mM NaCl and 0.1% BSA at a density of 500,000 cells/capsule onto the polycarbonate membrane (3 μm porosity) of cell capsule cups (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.). Capsule cups were transferred to sensor chambers where cells were held in close apposition to a silicon sensor within a sensor chamber, which measures small changes in pH in the microvolume of the sensor chamber. Low-buffered medium was pumped continuously across the cells at a rate of approximately 100 μl/min from one of two fluid reservoirs. A selection valve determined which reservoir from which fluid was perifused onto the cells.

The Cytosensor®Microphysiometer generates a voltage signal, which is a linear function of pH, every second. In order to measure acidification rates, flow to the sensor chamber containing the cells was periodically interrupted, allowing for excreted acidic metabolites to build up in the extracellular fluid of the cells. In these experiments, cells were maintained at 37° C. on a two minute flow cycle with cells being perfused with media for 80 seconds followed by 40 seconds in which the flow of media was stopped. During this 40 second interval, acidification rates were measured for a 30 sec interval. In this fashion, a single acidification rate was calculated every two min. The Cytosensor®Microphysiometer device contains eight such sensor units, allowing for eight simultaneous experiments to be performed. Each unit was individually programmed utilizing a computer linked to the system.

GGH₃ cells were initially equilibrated in the low-buffered MEM media for a period of 30-60 min in which basal acidification rates (measured as μV/sec), in the absence of any stimuli, were monitored. When the basal rate of acidification changed by less than ten percent over a period of twenty minutes, experiments were initiated. Time course experiments were performed to determine the optimal time for agonist exposure prior to acidification rate measurement and the duration of exposure needed to obtain peak acidification responses to various agonists. From these time course experiments, it was determined that cells should be exposed to GnRH peptide agonists at least one minute prior to collection of acidification rate data. Peak acidification rates usually occurred in the first two-minute exposure cycle. In order to capture the peak response to GnRH, cells were exposed to the agonist for a total of four minutes. Cells were exposed to compounds for 20-60 min prior to a four-minute stimulation with GnRH (1.0 nM-10 μM) alone or in combination with the various test concentration of each compound. All compounds were tested in a final concentration of 1% DMSO in low-buffered MEM media described above.

Selectivity Profile

In order to determine the specificity of binding of compounds to GnRH receptors, compounds were tested in various binding and functional assays for activity. Table 2 below shows the activity of Compound 20 in other assays.

TABLE 2 Binding Affinity or Functional Assessment of Compound 20 in Various Assays Assay K_(i) (nM)* Adenosine (non-selective) >1000 Alpha1 adrenergic (non-selective) >1000 Alpha2 adrenergic (non-selective) >1000 Beta adrenergic (non-selective) >1000 Dopamine (non-selective) >1000 D2 Dopamine >3200 H1 Histamine >1000 H2 Histamine ≈1000 H3 Histamine >1000 M2 Muscarinic >1000 Muscarinic (non-selective) peripheral >1000 Opiate (non-selective) >1000 Serotonin Transporter >1000 Serotonin (non-selective) >1000 5-HT_(2a) 2350 5-HT₇ >4400 Estrogen >1000 Testosterone >1000 L-type Ca2+ Channel >1000 N-type Ca2+ Channel >1000 ATP-sens. K+ Channel >1000 Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel >1000 Na+ Channel (site 1) >1000 Na+ Channel (site 2) >1000 LTB4 >1000 LTD4 >1000 TXA2 >1000 PAF ≈3000-5000 TRH >1000 Oxytocin >1000 AT1 Angiotensin ≈3000-5000 Bradykinin 2 >1000 CCKA >1000 ET-A >1000 Galanin >1000 NK1 >1000 NK2 >1000 NK3 ≈1000-5000 VIP (non-selective) >1000 AchE >1000 Choline Acetyltransferase >1000 MAO-A >1000 MAO-B >1000 ILRA (CXCR-1) >10000 GLP-1 >10000 Glucagon 6700 NPY Y1 >10000 CYP3A4 Cytochrome P450 IC50 1700 Basal Histamine Release (rat mast cells) EC50 >10000 RARγ Retinoid >10000 RXRα Retinoid >10000 Vasopressin1 >1000 *EC₅₀ for Basal Histamine Release Assay  

FIG. 6 shows the effect of Compound 136 on GnRH-stimulated increases in extracellular acidification rate in GGH₃ cells. GnRH produced a dose-dependent increase in the extracellular acidification rate of GGH₃ cells. Compound 136 caused a rightward shift in the dose-response curves to GnRH without decreasing the maximum response to GnRH. This suggests that this compound is a competitive receptor antagonist of GnRH at this receptor. Values shown are from one experiment.

An example of preparation methods for compounds according to the invention is as follows:

  4-(3-methylphenoxy)-2-butanone:

 

To m-Cresol (4.0 g, 37 mmol), methyl vinyl ketone (3.2 mL, 37 mmol) in chloroform (25 mL), added diispropyl ethyl amine. The mixture was heated at reflux for 16 h, allowed to cool to room temperature and evaporated. The residue has 50% product and 50% starting material starting material. The starting, material was separated as t-butyldimethyl silyl ether. The product was isolated through plug filteration. Yield 4.5 g (68%).

2-Methyl-4(3-methylphenoxy)-2-butanol:

 

To a solution of methyl magnesium bromide in ether (50 mL), prepared from Mg (572 mg, 23.56 mmol) and MeI (3.34 g, 23.56 mmol), was added 4-(3-methylphenoxy)-2-butanone (2.1 g, 11.78 mmol) in 10 mL ether. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, after which quenched with water and dil. Hydrochloric acid. The organic layer was separated, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered through a silica plug. Colorless syrup 1.91 g (83%).

4,4,7-trimethyl chroman:

 

To aluminium chloride (1.3 g, 9.79 mmol) in 40 mL carbon disulfide, added 2-methyl-4(3-methylphenoxy)-2-butanol (1.9 g, 9.79 mmol) in 10 mL carbon disulfide. The mixture was heated at reflux for 2 h. Solvent evaporated, the residue diluted with 50 mL of ethyl acetate, and 10 mL of water. The organic layer separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and purified thorugh a quick column. Light yellow syrup 1.5 g (87%).

Ethyl-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-2-furoate, and ethyl-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-8-yl)methyl]-2-furoate:

 

To zinc chloride (950 mg, 6.97 mmol) in nitromethane (20 mL), was added a mixture of 4,4,7-trimethyl chroman (1.23 g, 6.97 mmol) and ethyl-5-chloromethyl-2-furoate (656 mg, 3.48 mmol) in nitromethane (15 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. Evaporated to dryness and triturated with ethyl acetate-water (1:1, 100 mL). The organic layer on usual work up, and plug filtration using hexane:ethyl acetate (9:1) gave mixture of these two compounds. 1.34 g (46% based on chroman).

N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-2-furamide and N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-8-yl)methyl]-2-furamide:

 

To a mixture of ethyl-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-2-furoate, and ethyl-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-8-yl)methyl]-2-furoate (1.34 g, 3.74 mmol) in THF-MeOH—H2O (7:5:5, 20 mL) was added lithium hydroxide monohydride (784 mg, 18.7 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature. The mixture evaporated to dryness, diluted with 30 mL, ethyl acetate and 50 mL, of water. After acidification with diluted HCl, ethyl acetate layer separated, dried and evaporated to give mixture of corresponding acids, 1.03 (quantitative). The acids could not be separated using column chromatography or crystallization.

To the mixture of acids (200 mg, 0.66 mmol) in dichloromethane (30 mL) was added thionyl chloride (392 mg, 3.3 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 1 h and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in hexane-ethyl aceatate (9:1, 20 mL) and filtered through a silica gel plug (0.5 cm×1.0 cm).

To the residue in 10 mL ethyl acetate, was added 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl amine hydrochloride (145 mg, 0.66 mmol) followed by diisopropyl ethyl amine (256 mg, 1.98 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched with water (10 mL), ethyl acetate layer separated. The combination and column and HPLC purification gave 15 mg and 21 mg of two components (12%).

Bioavailability of compounds of the invention are shown in the following Table.

In vivo pharmacology of some compounds of the invention was tested as follows:

In viva experiments: general.

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were purchased from Harlan Sprague Dawley (San Diego). Animals were housed two per cage and maintained in a temperature-controlled room (22±2° C.) with a photoperiod of 12 hr light/12 hr dark (lights on at 0600 h). Rat chow (Teklad rat diet) and tap water were provided ad libitum.

Animal Models to Access Activity of GnRH Antagonists:

Castrated Male Rat Model

Rationale:

Surgical removal of the gonads removes circulating testosterone and eliminates the negative feedback of testosterone on the hypothalamus. As a result GnRH is elevated and consequently elevates LH (FIG. 1). A GnRH antagonist would be expected to reduce GnRH mediated elevations of LH levels. Antide, a GnRH peptide antagonist reduces LH levels in castrated rats (FIG. 8). This model seems suitable for evaluating small molecule GnRH antagonists.

Protocol:

Male Sprague-Dawley (2000-225 g) rats were castrated via the scrotal approach under halothane anesthesia. Animals were allowed 14 days post operative recovery prior to study. Thirteen days following castration, animals were anesthetized with halothane and instrumented with indwelling jugular vein cannula. Details of the cannulation procedure have been described previously {Harms and Ojeda, 1974)}. On study day, animals were allowed to acclimate to the procedure room while residing in their home cage. Basal blood samples were drawn from all animals. Immediately following basal sampling, vehicle or test compounds were administered by various routes. The routes of administration employed were intravenous (iv), intramuscular (im), intraperitoneal (ip), subcutaneous (sc) and oral (po). Blood samples were drawn into heparin containing tubes at multiple time points post treatment. Blood was centrifuged immediately, plasma collected and stored in −20° freezer until assayed. Plasma samples were analyzed using DSL-4600 ACTIVE LH coated-tube immunoradiometric assay kit from Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc.

Compound Formulations:

Formulation #1 (denoted with superscript 1): 10% DMSO, 10% Cremophor EL and 80% physiological saline.

Formulation #2 (denoted with superscript 2): 10% Cremophor EL and 90% physiological saline.

Results

See FIGS. 9-11 and Table.

Intact Male Rat

Rationale:

Testosterone is a hormone regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. GnRH is secreted in pulses from the hypothalamus and stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release gonadotropic hormones LH and FSH. Testosterone is produced when the testes are stimulated by LH. The quantity of testosterone secreted increases approximately in direct proportion to the amount of LH available (Guyton, 1986). A GnRH antagonist is expected to reduce testosterone level by inhibiting LH.

Protocol 1:

Male Sprague-Dawley (250-275 g) rats were single-housed and allowed to acclimate for 1 week prior to study. On study day animals were dosed with vehicle or test compound by various routes of administration, including ip, sc, or po. Blood samples were obtained via cardiac puncture under halothane anesthesia from individual animals at predetermined time points post treatment. Blood samples were drawn into heparin containing tubes. Blood was centrifuged immediately, plasma collected and stored in −20° freezer until assayed. Plasma samples were analyzed using DSL-4000 ACTIVE Testosterone coated-tube raduioimmunoassay kit from Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc.

Protocol 2:

Male Sprague-Dawley (250-275 g) rats were single-housed and allowed to acclimate for 1 week prior to study. We developed a technique to allow for repeated sampling from the jugular vein by using microrenathane (MRE) catheters implanted 7 days prior to study. Details of the surgical procedure have been described previously {Harms and Ojeda, 1974}. On study day, animals were allowed to acclimate to the procedure room while residing in their home cage. Basal blood samples were drawn from all animals. Immediately following basal sampling, vehicle or test compounds were administered by various routes. The routes of administration employed were intravenous (iv), intramuscular (im), and oral (po). Blood samples were drawn into heparin containing tubes at multiple time points post treatment. Blood was centrifuged immediately, plasma collected and stored in −20° freezer until assayed. Plasma samples were analyzed using DSL-4000 ACTIVE Testosterone coated-tube raduioimmunoassay kit from Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc.

Protocol 3: Repeated Dosing Study Compound No. 134

Male Sprague-Dawley (250-275 g) rats were double-housed and allowed to acclimate for 1 week prior to study. Daily vehicle treatments were administered either, im, sc, or po between 8:00 and 9:00 am for seven days. On day 8 between 8:00 and 9:00 am, blood samples were drawn via cardiac puncture under halothane anesthesia. The procedure was complete in 45-60 seconds. Over the next 7 days one groups of animals continued to receive vehicle treatments while another group of animals received no treatment. Samples were collected as described above following the 7^(th) day of this treatment regimen. Testosterone levels were not different between vehicle treated animals and untreated animals.

Daily im dosing of Compound 134 (100 mg/kg) or vehicle was performed between 8:00 and 9:00 am for seven days. Samples were collected as described above following the 7^(th) day of treatment.

All blood samples were collected in heparin containing tubes. Blood was centrifuged immediately, plasma collected and stored in −20° freezer until assayed the next day. Plasma samples were analyzed using DSL-4000 ACTIVE Testosterone coated-tube raduioimmunoassay kit from Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Inc.

Results

See Table 2 and FIGS. 12-14.

Figure Legends

FIG. 7: Bar graph shows basal LH and testosterone levels in castrated (CX) and intact rats. LH is elevated in CX rats. Testosterone is absent in CX rats.

FIG. 8: Line plot shows LH levels expressed as a percentage of basal LH in vehicle and Antide treated animals. Antide (2.0 and 20 ug;sc) suppresses LH in CX rats.

FIG. 9: Line plot shows LH levels expressed as a percentage of basal LH in vehicle and compound treated animals. Compound 134 (1.0, 5.0 & 10 mg/kg;iv) produces dose-dependent suppression of LH in CX rats.

FIG. 10: Line plot shows LH levels expressed as a percentage of basal LH in vehicle and compound treated animals. Compound 134 (20 or 100 mg/kg;ip) suppresses LH in CX rats.

FIG. 11: Line plot shows LH levels expressed as a percentage of basal LH in vehicle and compound treated animals. Compound 134 (20 mg/kg;im) suppresses LH in CX rats.

TABLE 1 GnRH Compounds in Castrated Rat Model Range Dose ≧50% of Plasma mg/kg % Max LH Suppression Conc. Compound Route Suppression Duration μM No. 9  1.0/iv  40 @ 0.5 hr NS ND No. 11  10/iv  85 @ 0.75 hr 3 hr ND  10/ip  50 @ 0.5 hr <1 hr  20/po NS NS No. 13  20/iv  63 @ 0.5 hr <1 hr ND No. 48  10/iv  75 @ 0.5 hr <1 hr  20/iv  51 @ 1 hr 1 hr 35.7-3.49 No. 20  10/iv  78 @ 0.5 hr 0.5 hr ND  20/iv  72 @ 1 hr 1.0 hr  50/im  65 @ 1 hr 2 hr  50/po  59 @ 1 hr 2 hr 100/po  43 @ 2 hr NS No. 136  5.0/iv  48 @ 1 hr 1.0 hr 3.0-0.3  10/iv  74 @ 2 hr 6 hr 3.7-0.28  20/iv  98 @ 4 hr ≧6 hr 8.9-0.7  20/ip  20/po NS NS 0.29  40/po NS NS 0.72 No. 134  1.0/iv  24 @ 0.5 hr 0.53-0.20  5.0/iv  70 @ 0.5 hr  3.2-0.11  10/iv 100 @ 0.5 hr 2 hr  4.8-0.16  20/po  62 @ 4 hr 4 hr 0.94-0.3  100/po  84 @ 4 hr 8 hr 1.27-0.7   20/ip  80 @ 2 hr 4 hr  1.7-0.45 100/ip  98 @ 4 hr 8 hr  1.7-0.32  20/sc  53 @ 8 hr only @ 0.6-0.3 8 hr 100/sc  80 @ 6 hr 8 hr 0.39-.15   20/im  73 @ 2 hr 8 hr  1.3-0.12 100/im  98 @ 2-24 hr 24 hr 10.8-0.5  No. 119  5.0/iv  63 @ 1 hr 1 hr 3.1-0.8  10/iv  61 @ 1 hr 1 hr 8.13-0.35  20/po  63 @ 2 hr 2 hr 0.1  20/ip  79 @ 2 hr 2 hr 0.6-0.1  20/sc NS NS 0.2 No. 183  10/iv  92 @ 1 hr 8 hr  1.5-0.89  50/po  60 @ 2 hr 8 hr 0.65-.13   10/im  58 @ 2 hr NS 0.18-.08  No. 206  10/iv  51 @ 1 hr NS  0.2-0.06  20/po NS NS  0.1-0.05 NS = No suppression ND = Not determined   Figure Legends Representation of Protocol 1:

FIG. 12: Bar graph shows testosterone levels in vehicle and compound treated animals 6 hours post ip injection. Compound 136 suppressed testosterone levels compared to vehicle treated animals *=p<0.05, t-test.

Representative of Protocol 2:

FIG. 13: Line plot shows testosterone levels over a 12 hour time course and 24 hour time point in vehicle and compound 134 treated rats. Vehicle and compound 134 was delivered by oral gavage. The highest dose of compound 134 suppressed testosterone throughout the course of the study.

Representative of Protocol 3:

FIG. 14: Bar graph shows testosterone levels for vehicle, compound 134 and control treated animals. Open bars represent pretreatment testosterone levels and solid bars represent testosterone levels following 7 days of repeated treatment. Compound 134 significantly suppressed testosterone levels compared to pretreatment, vehicle and control-treated animals. *=p<0.05, t-test.

TABLE 2 GnRH Compounds in Intact Male Rat Dose Range of mg/kg % Testosterone Suppression Plasma Conc. Compound Route suppression Duration μM No. 134  20/ip 36 @ 4 hr 4 hr 0.2 100/sc 60 @ 24 hr 24 hr  0.13  20/po NS @ 2 or 4 hr NS 0.15 @ 2 hr 0.17 @ 4 hr 100/im* 80 @ 12 hr 12 hr  1.3 7 days  20/po NS NS  1.1 @ 1 hr  50/po 75 @ 4 hr 8 hr 2.5-0.22 100/po 80 @ 6 hr 12 hr  2.4-0.25 No. 136  20/ip 72 @ 6 hr 6 hr 0.4  40/po 46 @ 4 hr 4 hr 0.34 NS = No suppression ND = Not determined   Procedural Notes

It has been documented that some of the procedures commonly used in endocrine studies on animals, such as anesthesia, fasting, surgery may affect the hormone levels being studied (B. E. Howland, et al., Experentia, 1974.) Luteinizing hormone and testosterone are sensitive to stressors. Numerous reports are conflicting about the effects of stressors on the HPG axis even when the same species and stressors are utilized. For example, male rats that are subjected to restraint or immobilization have been reported to have low, (Kruhlich et al., 1974; DuRuisseau et al., 1978), normal (Tache et al., 1980; Charpenet et al., 1982; Collu et al., 1984), or elevated LH concentrations (Briski et al, 1984). Similarly, plasma testosterone levels have been reported to change following exposure to stressful situations, but again the data appear contradictory and therefore difficult to interpret. For example, during intense physical exercise plasma testosterone levels have been reported to increase (Dessypris et al., 1976), decrease (Sutton et al., 1973) or remain unchanged (Lamb, 1975). The effects of immobilization on testosterone concentrations have been more consistent with most investigations reporting a decline in circulating values (Tache et al., 1980; Charpenet et al., 1982; Collu et al., 1984). It is, however, accepted that stressors do elicit changes in circulating testosterone and the type of stress used, duration and severity cause different stress-induced changes in testosterone concentrations. Considering the susceptibility of LH and testosterone to stress, we have optimized protocols to evaluate LH and testosterone under conditions which minimize stress.

Compounds according to the invention that have been prepared are shown in the attached Tables.

Compounds can be prepared with the general experimentals provided above. Specific examples are given below.

Pyrimidine-Containing Compounds

 

Preparation of 2-chloro-N-[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanmethyl]-4-pyrimidinamine 1 and 4-chloro-N-[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanmethyl]-2-pyrimidinamine 2:

To a 250 mL round bottom flask was placed 2,4-dichloropyrimidine (5.0 g, 33.56 mmol) and 200 mL THF. To this solution was added triethylamine (14.0 mL, 100.68 mmol) and [R]-tetrahydrofurfurylamine. The solution was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with methylene chloride. The separated organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude compound was purified by silica gel chromatography with hexane/ethyl acetate (4:1 v/v to 1:1 v/v) to yield 2 (1.3 g) and 1 (3.98 g).

Preparation of N-[3-(aminomethyl)benzyl]-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide 3.

To a solution of m-xylene diamine (28.76 g, 211.15 mmol) in THF (300 mL, 0.7M) was added dropwise a solution of ethyl trifluoroacetate (10 g, 70.38 mmol) in THY (50 mL, 1.4M). The solution was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction was monitored by TLC. The solvent was concentrated and residue was acidified to pH 2 with 4N HCl and dissolved in water and washed with ethyl acetate. The separated aqueous layer was basified to pH 11 using NH₄OH and compound was extracted with dichloromethane. The separated organic layer was wash with water/brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated to yield 3 (8.71 g, 53% yield).

Synthesis of 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-N-(3-{[(2-{[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino}-4-pyrimidinyl) amino]methyl}benzyl)-2-furamide 9.

 

Preparation of ethyl 3-(aminomethyl)benzylcarbamate 5.

To a solution of N-[3-(aminomethyl)benzyl]-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide 3 (10.6 g, 43.1 mmol) was added ethyl chloroformate (1 eq.) followed by triethylamine. Reaction was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Crude product was extracted with methylene chloride and concentrated to give ethyl 3-{[(trifluoroacetyl)amino]methyl} benzylcarbamate 4. This crude product was dissolved in methanol (100 mL) and 2 K₂CO₃ (100 mL) and stirred overnight. Reaction mixture was basified to pH 14 with 20% NaOH, extracted with methylene chloride, wash with brine and dried over magnesium sulfate to yield 5 (5.2 g)

Preparation of ethyl 3-{[(2-{[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino}-4-pyrimidinyl)amino]methyl}benzylcarbamate 6

To a solution of ethyl 3-(aminomethyl)benzylcarbamate 5 yield 4-chloro-N-[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanmethyl]-2-pyrimidinamine 2 in chlorobenzene was added triethylamine. Reaction mixture was reflux overnight. The solution was cooled to room temperature and loaded on a silica gel column and eluted with hexane/ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v) to yield ethyl 3-{[(2-{[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino}4-pyrimidinayl)amino]methyl}benzylcarbamate 6 (73% yield).

Ethyl 3-{[(2-{[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino} 4-pyrimidinayl) amino]methyl}benzylcarbamate 6 was dissolved in ethylene glycol and potassium hydroxide (1:1 v/v). The solution was heated to 100° C. overnight. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and extracted with chloroform, washed with brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate to yield N⁴-[3-aminomethyl0benzyl]-N²-[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine 7 (82% yield).

Preparation of 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-N-(3-{[(2-{[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino)}-4-pyrimidinyl)amino]methyl}benzyl)-2-furamide 9.

Ethyl 3-{[(2-{[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino}-4-pyrimidinayl amino]methyl}benzylcarbamate 6 was dissolved in ethylene glycol and potassium hydroxide (1:1 v/v). The solution was heated to 100° C. overnight. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and extracted with chloroform, washed with brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate to yield N′-[3-(aminomethyl0benzyl]-N′-[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]-2,4-pyrimidinediamine 7 (82% yield). This product, 7, (182 mg, 0.580 mmol) and 2-furoyl chloride reagent 8 was dissolved dichloromethane followed by triethylamine. Reaction was stirred at room temperature overnight. Crude compound was purified on silica gel column and eluted ethyl acetate/hexane (4:1 v/v) to yield S-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-N-(3-{[(2-{[(2R)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino}-4-pyrimidinyl) amino]methyl}benzyl)-2-furamide 9 (159.1 mg). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 61.19 (s, 6H), 1.26 (s, 6H), 1.65 (m, 5H), 1.92 (m, 3H), 2.23 (s, 3H), 3.45 (m, 1H), 3.5 (m, 1H), 3.7 (m, 1H), 3.9 (m, 3H), 4.05 (m, 1H), 4.50 (d, 2H), 4.58 (d, 2H), 5.01 (brd, 1H), 5.30 (brd, 1H), 5.71 (d, 1 h), 6.03 (d, 1H), 6.61 (t, 1H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 7.28 (m, 4H), 7.80 (d, 1H). MS: 622.4 (M+1).

Synthesis of 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2naphthalenzyl) methyl]-N-(3-{[(4-{[(2S)-tetrahydro-2-furanylmethyl]amino}-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]methyl}benzyl)-2-furamide 12.

 

Preparation of N-[3-(aminomethyl) benzyl]-5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furamide 11.

To a solution of N-[3-(aminomethyl)benzyl]-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide 3 and 2-furoyl chloride reagent 8 was added triethylamine. Reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Crude mixture was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with hexane/ethyl acetate (4:1 v/v) to yield 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-N-(3-{[(trifluoroacetyl)amino]methyl}benzyl)-2-furamide 10. The purified compound was dissolve in methanol (100 mL) and potassium carbonate in water (2M, 100 mL). Reaction was heated to 70° C. overnight. The solution was cooled to room temperature, basified with 20% NaOH to pH 14, extract with methylene chloride, washed with brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate to yield N-[3-(aminomethyl) benzyl]-5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furamide 11 (4.97 g, 85.1% yield).

Preparation of 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenzyl) methyl]-N-(3-{[(4-{[(2S)-tetrahydro-2furanylmethyl]amino}-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]methyl}benzyl)₂-furamide 12.

To a solution of N-[3-(aminomethyl) benzyl]-5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furamide 11 in chlorobenzene was added and 2-chloro-N-[(2S)-tetrahydro-2-furanmethyl]4-pyrimidinamine and triethylamine. Reaction mixture was reflux overnight. The cooled mixture was then purified by silica gel chromatography followed by HPLC. To yield of 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2naphthalenzyl) methyl]-N-(3-{[(4-{[(2S)-tetrahydro-2furanylmethyl]amino}-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]methyl}benzyl)-2-furamide 12. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 1.01 (s, 6H), 1.25 (s, 6H), 1.43 (m, 1H), 1.56 (s, 4H), 1.70-1.98 (m, 3H), 2.13 (s, 3H), 3.24 (m, 1H), 3.61 (m, 1H), 3.63-3.80 (m, 2H), 3.82 (s, 2H), 3.874.06 (m, 1H), 4.37-4.60 4.37 (d, 2H), 4.60 (d, 2H), 5.73 (d, 1H), 5.92 (d, 1H), 6.3 (brd, 1H), 6.75 (brd, 1H), 6.92 (s, 1H), 6.98 (d, 1H), 7.0 (s, 1H), 7.09-7.26 (m, 4H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 9.5 (brd, 1H). MS (APCI): 622.3 (M+1).

EXAMPLES OF HETEROCYCLIC-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS

 

4-(3-methylphenoxy)-2-butanone:

 

To m-Cresol (4.0 g, 37 mmol), methyl vinyl ketone (3.2 mL, 37 mmol) in chloroform (25 mL), was added diispropyl ethyl amine. The mixture was heated at reflux for 16 h, allowed to cool to room temperature and evaporated. The residue has 50% product and 50% starting material. The starting material was separated as t-butyldimethyl silyl ether. The product was isolated via plug filteration using silica gel 50% hexane/ethyl acetate. Yield 4.5 g (68%). As an alternative purification procedure, the crude reaction mixture was evaporated, dissolved in DMF (0.2M) and 0.5 equivalents of imidazole and 0.5 equivalents of tBDMSCI were added. The reaction was stirred for 3 hr at room temperature and then the solvents were removed in vacuo. To the residue was added 75 mL ethyl acetate and 75 mL water (ratio of 1/1). The ethyl acetate layer was separated and dried over Na₂SO₄. The solvents were removed in vacuo. The crude material was placed on a pad of silical gel and the silylated m-cresol was removed with hexanes. The product was obtained by eluting with 5-10% ethyl acetate in hexanes. The solvents were removed in vacuo to give the desired product. ¹H(CDCl₃):7.15 (t, 1H), 6.65-6.80(m, 2H), 4.25 (t, 2H), 2.75 (t, 2H), 2.25 and 2.35 (2 s, 3H each).

2-Methyl-4(3-methylphenoxy)-2-butanol:

 

To a solution of methyl magnesium bromide in ether (50 mL), prepared from Mg (572 mg, 23.56 mmol) and MeI (3.34 g, 23.56 mmol), was added 4(3-methylphenoxy)-2-butanone (2.1 g, 11.78 mmol) in 10 mL ether. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes, after which it was quenched with water and dilute Hydrochloric acid. The organic layer was separated, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered through a silica plug to give a colorless syrup 1.91 g (83%) mass spectral analysis using APCI+ve 177 (M+—OH).

4,4,7-trimethyl chroman:

 

To aluminium chloride (1.3 g, 9.79 mmol) in 40 mL carbon disulfide, was added 2-methyl-4(3-methylphenoxy-2-butanol (1.9 g, 9.79 mmol) in 10 mL carbon disulfide. The mixture was heated at reflux for 2 h. Solvent evaporated, the residue diluted with 50 mL of ethyl acetate, and 10 mL of water. The organic layer was separated, dried over sodium sulfate, and purified via column chromatography to give a light yellow syrup 1.5 g (87%). ¹H(CDCl₃): 7.05(br d, 1H), 6.87 (dd, 1H), 6.69 (d, 1H), 4.20 (t, 2H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 1.80 (t, 2H), 1.40 (s, 6H).

Ethyl-5[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-2-furoate, and ethyl-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-8-yl)methyl]-2-furoate:

 

To zinc chloride (950 mg, 6.97 mmol) in nitromethane (20 mL), was added a mixture of 4,4,7-trimethyl chroman (1.23 g, 6.97 mmol) and ethyl-5-chloromethyl-2-furoate (656 mg, 3.48 mmol) in nitromethane (15 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction was evaporated to dryness and triturated with ethyl acetate-water (1:1, 100 mL). The organic layer on usual work up, and plug filtration using hexanes in ethyl acetate (9:1) gave mixture of these two compounds. 1.34 g (46% based on chroman).

N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-2-furamide and N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-8-yl)methyl]-2-furamide:

 

To a mixture of ethyl-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl)methyl]-2-furoate, and ethyl-5-[(4,4,7-trimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-8-yl)methyl]-2-furoate (1.34 g, 3.74 mmol) in THF-MeOH—H2O (7:5:5, 20 mL) was added lithium hydroxide monohydrate (784 mg, 18.7 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature. The mixture evaporated to dryness, diluted with 30 mL ethyl acetate and 50 mL of water. After acidification with diluted HCl, ethyl acetate layer was separated, dried and evaporated in vacuo to give a mixture of corresponding acids, 1.03 g (quantitative). These acids were not separable using typical column chromatography or crystallization. To the mixture of the acids (200 mg, 0.66 mmol) in dichloromethane (30 mL) was added thionyl chloride (392 mg, 3.3 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 1 h and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in hexane-ethyl aceatate (9:1, 20 mL) and filtered through a silica gel plug (0.5 cm×1.0 cm). To the residue in 10 mL ethyl acetate, was added 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl amine hydrochloride (145 mg, 0.66 mmol) followed by diisopropyl ethyl amine (256 mg, 1.98 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched with water (10 mL), ethyl acetate layer separated. The combination and column and HPLC purification gave 15 mg and 21 mg of two components (12%). The isomers were separated using reverse phase HPLC chromatography. Linear isomer: 1H(CDCl₃):7.46(br s, 1H), 7.23 (br s, 1H), 7.14 (br s, 1H), 7.02 (s, 2H), 6.63 (s, 1H), 6.15 (s, 2H), 6.0(d, 1H), 4.17 (t, 2H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.81, 3.80 (2 s, 3H each), 2.21 (s, 3H), 1.81 (t, 2H), 1.29 (s, 6H). M+ at 466.2. Angular isomer: AXC07302: 7.25 (br s, 1H), 6.91 (d, 1H), 6.88 (d, hidden, 1H), 6.53 (d, 1H), 5.95 (s, 2H), 5.72 (d, 1H), 3.96 (t, 2H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.6 (s, 6H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 1.59 (t, 2H), 1.11 (s, 6H). M+ at 466.1

EXAMPLES OF AROMATIC COMPOUNDS

 

 

 

Compound 183

Thymol (1.0 eq, 33.3 mmol) and methyl 5-(chloromethyl)-2-furoate (1.0 eq, 33.3 mmol) were dissolved in nitromethane (120 mL, 0.2M). Aluminum trichloride (1.0 eq, 33.3 mmol) dissolved in 25 mL nitromethane was added to the above solution under nitrogen and heated to slow reflux over 10 min. The heat was turned off and left under nitrogen overnight. The reaction was quenched with 100 mL of water and extracted with dichloromethane. The crude mixture was evaporated to dryness and loaded onto plug chromatography column (1 g crude/100 g silica gel ratio). The column was eluted with 7 and 11% ethyl acetate/hexanes to yield the desired product (2.9 g, 30%). The ester was hydrolyzed to acid by lithium hydroxide in THF/MeOH/H₂O (35/25/25).

To a solution containing the 5-(4-hydorxy-5-isopropyl-2-methylbenzyl)-2-furoic acid (10 eq, 3.6 mmol, 0.5M), and 2,6-dimethoxyaniline (10 eq, 3.6 mmol) were dissolved in DMF. To this mixture, HATU (1.0 eq, 3.6 mmol) and di-isopropyl ethyl amine (1.0 eq, 3.6 mmol) were added and stirred overnight. The mixture was heated for 10 min at 45° C. The solution was placed into ethyl acetate (3× volume) and washed with water. The organic layer was evaporated to syrup and eluted on plug column chromatography (1:100 g crude/g silicagel) with 30 and 50% ethyl acetate/hexane to yield: N-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-hydroxy-5-isopropyl-2-methylbenzyl)-2furamide (820 mgs, 55% yield). ¹HNMR (CDCl₃) 7.22 ppm (1H, t, J=8.68 Hz), 7.08 ppm (1H, d, J=3.40 Hz), 6.99 ppm (1H, s), 6.64 ppm (2H, d, J=8.68 Hz), 6.61 ppm (1H, s), 5.97 ppm (1H, d, k=3.40 Hz), 3.95 ppm, (2H, s), 3.85 ppm, (6H, s), 3.17 ppm, (1H, pentet, J=6.8 Hz) 2.23 ppm, (3H, s), 1.25 ppm (3H, s), and 1.23 ppm (3H, s).

Potassium t-butoxide was dissolved (1.05 eq, 0.128 mmol) in MeOH (24 μL). To the solution of above furamide (1.0 eq, 0.122 mmol, 1M) in DMF, t-butoxide solution was added and stirred for 30 min. The 2-Bromoethyl methyl ether (10 eq, 0.122 mmol) was added (20% MeOH/DMF, 1M) and stirred at room temperature for 48 hours and purified by reverse phase HPLC (method: 35-75% 90 min acetonitrile in 0.1% aqueous TFA) to yield (8.5 mgs, 15% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 7.04 ppm (1H, J=8.31 Hz, t), 6.85 ppm (1H, J=3.40, d), 6.80 ppm (1H, s), 6.53 ppm (1H, s), 6.48 (2H, J=8.31 Hz, d), 5.76 (1H, J=3.40 Hz, d), 3.88 (2H, J=3.40/4.53 Hz, dd), 3.78 (2H, s), 3.58 (6H, s), 3.54 (2H, J=3.40/4.54 Hz, dd), 3.20 (3H, s), 3.07(1H, 3=7.2 Hz, pentet), 2.04 (3H, s), 0.97 (3H, s), 0.95(3H, s).

Compound A

1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene was synthesized from reference: John J. Parlow Tetrahedron Vol 49 (13) 2577. It was then connected with methyl 5-(chloromethyl)-2-furoate by Friedles-Crafts reaction as previously stated to yield two major regio-isomers. The desired isomer was separated after hydrolysis using three to five succesive recrystalization from 10% acetone/heptane (1 g/10 mL) system. The acid was then converted to acid chloride with thionyl chloride as previously stated.

To a solution of 5-[(3,8,8-trimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furoyl chloride (10 eq, 0.32 mmol, 0.2M) in 2 mL ethyl acetate, the 2,4,6 trimethoxy aniline mono HCl salt (10 eq, 0.32 mmol) was added. Triethyl amine (excess) was added to this mixture and stirred overnight. The crude product was dried under vacuo and purified through plug column chromatography (1:100 crude mass/silicagel ratio) by eluting with 20 and 30 percent ethyl acetate/hexane solution. In some cases, the regio-isomers were separated by recrystallization in twenty five percent ethyl acetate/hexanes (1 g/75 mL compound/volume) to yield N-(2,4,6-trimethoxylphenyl)-5-[(3,8,8-trimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-2-furamide (120 mgs, 82% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) 7.28 ppm (1H, broad), 7.12 (1H, s), 7.08 (1H, 3=3.40 Hz, d), 6.89 (1H, s), 6.19 (2H, s), 6.00 (1H, J=3.40 Hz, d), 3.97 (2H, s), 3.83 (3H, s), 3.82 (6H, s) 2.73 (2H, J=6.05 Hz, t), 2.25 (3H, s), 1.84-1.76(2H, multiplet), 1.69-1.63 (2H, multiplet), 1.59 (3H, s), 1.26(6H, s) elemental: expected C(72.55), H(7.18), N(3.02); actual C(72.67), H(7.22), N(2.98).

Compound 228

 

Compound II To a solution of 3,5-dimethoxyaniline (Compound I, 1.53 g, 10 mmol) in DCM (20 ml) was added methanesulfonyl chloride (0.88 mL, 10 mmol). TEA (1.4 mL, 10 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 15 h. The crude product was taken to dryness and purified by flash chromatography (30% ethyl acetate/hexanes), yielding compound II (2.10 g, 91%) as a white solid. ¹H NMR δ(300 Hz, CDCl₃) 2.96(s, 3H), 3.71 (s, 6H), 6.20 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.34 (d, 2H, J=3 Hz), 6.76 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 232 (M+H)⁺.

Compound III To a solution of (CH₃)₄NNO, (1.12 g, 7.89 mmol) in DCM (10 mL) was added triflic anhydride dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 h. In a dropping funnel was placed the compound II (1.75 g, 7.51 mmol) in 10 mL of DCM and the solution was added to the nitronium triflate reaction mixture at −78° C. The reaction mixture was kept in −78° C. for 30 min and gradually warmed to rt. It was stirred for 15 h. The reaction was quenched with 5% NaHCO₃ (5 mL), the mixture was stirred for 30 min. The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM (3×20 mL). Combined DCM layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. The crude product was purified by HPLC, yielding compound III (250 mg, 11%) as a white solid. ¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CDCl₃) 3.03(s, 3H), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 6.32 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.88 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 8.31 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 275(M−H)⁻.

Compound IV To a solution of compound III (106 mg, 0.38 mmol) in EtOH (2 mL) was added 20 mg Pd/C and NH₂NH₂ (1 mL). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 9 h. The reaction mixture passes through a celite pad. The solution was taken to dryness to afford compound IV as a brown solid (90 mg, 95%). This compound was used directly in the next step.

Compound 228

To a solution of compound IV (39 mg, 0.16 mmol), 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl]-2-furoyl chloride (60 mg, 0.174 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) was added TEA (44 μL, 0.31 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for overnight. Flash chromatography (30% ethyl acetate/hexanes) yields Compound 228 (65 mg, 74%) as a white solid. ¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CDCl₃) 1.04 (m, 12H), 1.45 (m, 4H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 2.71(s, 3H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 5.89 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.17 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.58 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.85 (s, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 6.96 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 7.90 (s, 1H), 8.24 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 556 (M+H)⁺.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES (NMR) OF SOME COMPOUNDS ARE SHOWN BELOW

Compound 20

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CDCl₃) 1.26 (m, 12H), 1.66 (m, 4H), 2.28 (s, 3H), 3.82 (s, 611), 3.96 (s, 2H), 6.04 (d, 1H, J-6 Hz), 6.60 (s, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 7.05 (m, 3H), 7.23 (t, 1H, 6 Hz), 7.44 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 462 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 126

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, DMSO) 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 3.71 (s, 6H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 5.93 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.68 (s, 1H), 6.69 (s, 1H), 6.86 (d, 2H, J=3 Hz), 7.10 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 7.23 (t, 1H, J=7 Hz), 9.04 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 379 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 140

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, DMSO) 2.28 (s, 3H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 3.72 (s, 61), 4.10 (s, 2H), 6.00 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.60 (s, 1H), 6.68 (s, 1H), 6.71 (s, 1H), 7.10 (m, 2H), 7.24 (t, 1H, J=6 Hz), 9.04 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 458 (M+H)⁻.

Compound 211

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CDCl₃) 3.76-3.83 (m, 15H), 4.07 (s, 2H), 5.95 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.60 (s, 1H), 6.57-6.62 (m, 3H), 6.78 (d, 1H, J=9 Hz), 7.03 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 7.19 (t, 1H, J=6 Hz), 7.46 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 428 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 220

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CDCl₃) 3.72-3.77 (m, 15H), 3.90 (s, 2H), 5.78 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.08 (s, 2H), 6.52-6.55 (m, 2H), 6.94 (d, 1H, J=9 Hz), 7.12 (t, 1H, J=9 Hz), 7.39 (s, 1H). APCI-MS m/z 428 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 226

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CD₃OD) 2.33-2.48 (m, 12H), 3.84 (s, 6H), 4.19 (s, 2H), 5.81 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.73 (d, 2H, J=9 Hz), 7.06 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 7.29 (t, 1H, J=9 Hz). APCI-MS m/z 472 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 231

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CDCl₃) 0.67 (t, 3H, J=6 Hz), 1.27 (m, 6H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.80-3.83 (m, 6H), 4.02 (s, 2H), 6.02 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.60 (d, 2H, J=9 Hz), 6.83 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 7.07-7.19(m, 4H), 7.43 (s, 1H), APCI-MS m/z 438 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 232

¹H NMR δ (300 Hz, CDCl₃) 0.66 (t, 3H, J=6 Hz), 1.23 (m, 6H), 1.54-1.62 (m, 2H), 3.80-3.81 (m, 12H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 6.00 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 6.81 (d, 2H, J=9 Hz), 6.82 (d, 1H, J=3 Hz), 7.06-7.28 (m, 4H). APCI-MS m/z 468 (M+H)⁺.

EXAMPLES OF OTHER AROMATIC CONTAINING COMPOUNDS

 

Synthesis of 5-(5-cyclohexyl-2-methylbenzyl)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-furamide.

To a mixture of compounds 1 (5.0 g, 20.3 μmol) and the methyl furoate (3.5 g, 20.3 mmol) in 100 ml of nitromethane was added a solution of AlCl₃ (5.4 g, 40.6 mol) in CH₂NO₂ (50 ml) at room temperature. The solution was heated to 70˜75° C. overnight. The dark brown mixture was cooled to room temperature and slowly poured into 300 ml of ice water. The mixture was extracted with ethylacetate. The concentrated organic layer was purified by silica gel chromatography and eluted with hexane/ethyl acetate (15:1 to 9:1 v/v) to yield 920 mg of compound 2, which was then hydrolyzed and coupled with the trimethoxyaniline according to the general procedure to give the compound in a good yield. ¹HNMR(CDCl₃): a 1.23-1.48 (m, 5H), 1.73-1.86 (m, 5H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.51 (m, 1H), 3.83 (s, 1H), 4.02 (s, 2H), 6.03 (s, 1H), 7.44 (s, 1H) MS (APCI): 464.2 (M+1)

  Synthesis of 5(5-acetyl-2,4-dimethylbenzyl)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-furamide.

A mixture of compound 3 (14 g, 94.4 mmol), methyl furoate (16.4 g, 94.4 mmol) and AlCl₃ (25 g, 189 mmol) in 200 mL of nitromethane was stirred and heated to 80° C. overnight. The mixture was worked up and purified by silica gel column, eluted with hexane/ethyl acetate (9:1 v/v) to give a mixture of 4 and 5 (3:1, total 16.2 g). The mixture of 4 and 5 (2.0 g) was hydrolyzed in 2N NaOH/MeOH (1:1 v/v) at room temperature to give a mixture of 6 and 7, which was recrystallized in acetone and heptane to afford 6 (460 mg).

Compound 6 (150 mg, 0.55 mmol) was treated with thionyl chloride and coupled with trimethoxy aniline to give AXC07485 (124 mg). ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): σ 2.31 (s, 3H), 2.50 (s, 3H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 3.80 (s, 9H), 4.02 (s, 2H), 6.00 (d, 1 h), 6.16 (s, 2 h), 7.08 (s, 1H), 7.35 (s, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), MS (APCI): 438.7 (M+1)

Synthesis of 5-(5-isopropenyl-2,4-dimethylbenzyl)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-furamide

 

To a solution of compound 6 (250 mg, 0.92 mmol) in 5 mL dry THF at 0° C. under N₂ was added methyl lithium (1.4M in hexanes, 3 eq.). The solution was stirred at 0° C. for 3 hours, quench with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude compound was treated with SOCl₂ and coupled with trimethoxy aniline to give AXC 07499 (36 mg). ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): σ 1.80 (s, 3H), 2.06 (s, 3 h), 2.11 (s, 3 h0, 3.59 (s, 9H), 3.75 (s, 2H), 4.60 (d, 1H), 4.95 (d, 1H), 5.81 (d, 1H), 5.95 (s, 2H), 6.71 (s, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 6.89 (d, 1H), 7.18 (s, 1H). MS (APCI): 436.2 (M+1).

Synthesis of 5-[(4,6-dimethyl[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)methyl]-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-furamide.

 

Friedal Crafts reaction of compound 9 (10 g, 57.3 mmol), methyl furoate (12.7 g, 68.7 mmol) and AlCl₃ (9.1 g, 68.7 mmol) was carried out in nitromethane at 80° C. for 2 hours. The solution was poured in 200 mL ice water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was concentrated and purified by silica gel column eluted with hexane/ethyl acetate (9:1 v/v) to give a mixture of regioisomers 10 and 11 (15.5 g) with a ratio of 2:1.

The mixture was hydrolyzed in 2N NaOH/MeOH (1:1 v/v) to give the mixture of acid analogs.

The acid mixture (2.3 g, 7.4 mmol), benzene boronic acid (1.1 g, 8.9 mmol), [P(Ph)₃]₄Pd, and potassium carbonate (2N, 11 mL) in DMF (20 mL) was heated to 80° C. overnight. After aqueous work up the residue was passed through a silica gel column and eluted with a mixture of solvent hexane/ethyl acetate/acetic acid (7:3:1 v/v/v) to yield a mixture of 2 regioisomers with was recrystallized in hexane and ethyl acetate to give 12 (610 mg). The compound 12 was coupled with trimethoxyaniline through standard procedure to give AXC07468 in good yield. ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): σ 2.24 (d, 3H), 2.33 (d, 3H), 3.82 (s, 6H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 4.02 (s, 2H), 6.03 (d, 1H), 6.18 (s, 2H), 7.06 (s, 2H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 7.29-7.40 (m, 5H). MS (APCI): 472.1 (M+1).

Synthesis of 5-[5-(2,2-dimethylpropanoyl)-2,4-dimethoxybenzyl]-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-furamide

 

Compound 15 was prepared in two steps of Friedal Crafts reaction (see general procedure) from compound 13 in moderate yield with good regio selectivity. Compound 15 was hydrolyzed and coupled with trimethoxyaniline to give the compound. ¹HNMR(CDCl₃): a 1.18(s, 9H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.81 (s, 6H), 3.85 (s, 6H), 3.93 (s, 2H), 6.03 (d, 1H), 6.15 (s, 2H), 6.45 (s, 1H), 6.86 (s, 114), 7.11 (s, 1H), 7.40 (s, 1H). Ms (APCI) 512.1 (M+1).

Synthesis of 5-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)carbonyl]-N-(2,4,6-trimethlxyphenyl-2-furamide and 5-[hydroxy(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthalenyl)methyl]-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-furamide

 

A mixture of compound 19 (9.0 g, 27.5 mmol) and MnO₄ (8.2 g, 82.7 mmol) in mixture solvent of chloroform and dichloroethane was heated to 70° C. overnight. After aqueous worktop, compound 20 by silica gel column and eluted with hexane/ethyl acetate/acetic acid (90:10:1 v/v/v). AXC07042 was obtained by the general procedure for amide bond formation. ¹HNMR CDCl₃): σ 1.26-1.31 (2 s, 12H), 1.70 (s, 411, 3.81 (s, 6H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 6.18 (s, 2H), 7.05 (d, 111), 7.22 (s, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.68 (s, 1H). MS (APCI): 506.2 (M+1).

The compound (50 mg) was treated with NaBH₄ (1.5 eq) in ethanol (2 mL) and diethyl ether (0.5 mL). The solution was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours, quenched with water, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was concentrated to give the compound as a white solid. ¹HNMR (CDCl₃) σ 1.24, 1.28, 1.29 (3 s, 12H), 1.66, 1.67 (2 s, 4H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.55 (d, 1H), 3.80 (s, 6H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 5.98 (d, 1H), 6.17 (s, 2H), 7.08, 7.10 (2 s, 2H), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.41 (s, 1H). MS (APCI): 508.2 (M+1).

Synthesis of 5-(5-{1-[(ethylamino)carbonyl]cyclpropyl}-2-methylbenzyl)-N-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-furamide

 

A solution of 22 (2.0 g, 11.3 mmol) in thionyl chloride (8 mL) was heated to reflux for 3 minutes. The unreacted thionyl chloride was remove by rotary evaporator. The concentrated residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. To this solution ethylamine (excess) was added to give compound 23 (1.3 g). The compound was converted to AXC07555 by 3 steps (Friedal Crafts reaction, hydrolysis, and amide bond formation) as described in general procedures. ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): σ 0.94-1.02 (m, 5H), 1.59 (m, 2H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 3.17 (q, 2 h), 3.80, 3.81 (2 s, 9H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 5.39 (brd, 1H), 6.01 (d, 1H), 6.17 9 s, 2H), 7.11 (d, 1H), 7.21 (m, 2H), 7.31 9 s, 1H). MS (APCI): 493.2 (M+1).

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES

 

A useful intermediate can be prepared as follows:

Preparation of methyl-5-(chloromethyl)-2-furoate

 

Required Materials Molecular Number of Number of Materials Conc. Weight Amount Moles Equivalents Density CAS Methyl 2-furoate 97% 126.11 0.371 kg 2.88 1 1.179 [611-13-2] Formaldehyde_((aq)) 37% 30.03 0.371 L 4.95 1.72 1.083 [50-00-0] HCl 37% 36.46 2.2 L 22.3 7.74 1.19 [7647-01-0] H₂SO₄ 95-98%   98.08 1.1 L 11 3.82 1.84 [7664-93-9] Dichloromethane Reagent 84.93 2.2 L — — 1.325 [75-09-2] ZnCl₂ 98% 136.28 0.520 kg 3.7 1.3 — [7646-85-7] Dichloromethane Reagent 84.93 ******L — — 1.325 [75-09-2] NaHCO_(3(aq)) Saturated —  *****L — — — [144-55-8] Silica Gel — — 0.600 kg — — — — Na₂SO₄ 98% — as necessary — — — [7757-82-6]   Itemized Procedure for a 2.88 Mole Scale Batch of Methyl 5-(chloro-methyl)-2-furoate (2)

-   -   A 12L 3-neck round bottom flask (r.b.) is equipped with an         addition funnel; over-head electric stirrer; thermocouple; and         an ice bath. (a nitrogen blanket is recommended, but may not         necessarily be required)     -   Charge 2.2 L DCM to r.b. followed by 2.2 L conc. Hcl. (no         significent exothermic reaction observed; two layers formed)     -   Begin agitation. (ensure adequate mixing of both phases)     -   Charge 1.1 L H₂SO₄ to the addition funnel as space permits. Cool         reactor to 0-10° C. Begin addition of sulfuric acid drop-wise         initially until the exothermic reaction subsides (approximately         ½ addition), and then increase addition rate to a light stream.         (maintain temperature below 20° C. for safety purposes)     -   Change cooling bath to water at room temperature. (this will act         as a heat-sink for the subsequent additions without slowing         reaction rates significantly)     -   Charge 0.371 kg methyl 2-furoate to r.b. in one portion. (no the         exothermic reaction noticed, green/brown solution)     -   Charge 0.520 kg ZnCl₂ in many portions. (some bubbling—suspect         HCl gas; the exothermic reaction controlled by water bath)     -   Charge 0.371 L formaldehyde to rinsed addition funnel. Add to         reactor over 2.5-3.5 hours. (temperature is maintained at room         temperature by water bath; slow addition results in fewer         polymerization reactions between ‘free’ formaldehyde)     -   Stir overnight at room temperature.     -   When reaction is complete by TLC (see below) drop aqueous layer.         Filter organic layer through a 0.550 kg silica plug (dry packed,         approx. 10 cm thick). Elute with approximately 4 L DCM until no         further product comes off a sindicated by TLC. (ensure this step         is performed with proper ventilation, as some acid vapors are         still present, even in the filtrate)     -   Concentrate to give an oil ranging in color from yellow to brown         (approximately 0.5 L)     -   Charge an equal amount DCM, about 0.5 L. Wash with 2×0.2 L         distilled water. Then wash organic layer with 0.05 L sat NaHCO₃         in 0.15 L distilled water. (ensure pH 7-10, no significant         product lost in aqueous layer)     -   Drop aqueous layer, and dry organic with Na₂SO₄. Filter through         0.05 kg silica (about 5 cm thick). Elute with DCM until no         further product comes off.     -   Concentrate by rotovap using house vacuum. Then place oil on         high vacuum pump overnight. (yellow to light brown oil)

Yield range: 95-100%

Purity range: 95-98% (HPLC A%)

Further Comments

-   -   Visual: The reaction is followed by TLC (254 nm) using 30%         EtOAc/Hexanes (r.f. starting material—0.52, r.f product—0.40).     -   HPLC: TFA method (method and spectra attached). Starting         material rt=12.67 min., product rt=17.37 min.     -   NMR: ¹H (CDCl₃) (spectra attached) 3.93 (s, 3H), 4.63 (s, 2H),         6.52 (d, 1H), 7.18 (d, 1H).

If the reaction has not gone to completion, 10% of the original volume of formaldehyde can be added every 4 hours. Temperature effects have not been extensively studied, but it has been convenient to maintain pot temperatures in the ranges specified for each step. Acid vapors present in the organic layer even after filtration make handling outside of the fume hood problematic, so care should be taken when transferring material outside of the hood until the pH is neutralized. If the addition rate of formaldehyde is increased, polymer formation will prevent the reaction from going to completion due to the consumption of formaldehyde. Arrangements with the safety department should be made prior to the start of this process so that arrangements to accommodate the large volumes of acid being discharged in the aqueous layer can be made. Neutralization of the aqueous acid layer requires large volumes of base, produces a considerable exotherm, and requires a prolonged addition period, and is therefor not recommended. The final product should be kept cool, as no stability data of this product is available. Keeping te product in a Nalgene container at −20° C. causes the product to crystallize, slightly darkening the material, but appears to have no effect on later reactions using this material.

The compounds of the present invention should be useful in treating:

-   1. hormone dependent cancers/tumors -   2. hormone independent cancers/tumors by direct interactions -   3. use in other mechanisms of action

It is believed that Applicants' invention includes many other embodiments which are not herein specifically described, accordingly this disclosure should not be read as being limited to the foregoing examples or preferred embodiments.

The following compounds have been made as discussed above. Certain properties of some of the compounds have also been measured using techniques discussed earlier. S%R is the substrate remaining. The closer S%R is to zero, the closer to 100% inhibition.

NPY Gluca- COM- hGnRH bGnRH rGnRH mGnRH GnRH GnRH IL8 Y1 gon GLP-1 POUND IC50 IC50 IC50 IC50 func- Kb 5-HT7 5-HT2a D2 DA IC50 IC50 IC50 IC50 NO. MOLSTRUCTURE (nM) (nM) (nM) (nM) tional (nM) Ki (nM) Ki (nM) Ki (nM) (nM) (nM) (nM) (nM) 9

220 (40*) 3800 680 2300 Antag- onist 30 10

130 (20*) 1500 390 1400 Antag- onist 95 1270 1200 550 6400 9700 6600 21

920 3340 540 1200 Antag- onist 11

190 (80*) 320 9 50 Antag- onist 1800 150 >10000 2550 3200 >10000 22

540 1710 310 1100 23

220 (40*) 2830 730 2100 Antag- onist 24

550 760 150 560 25

410 940 260 950 26

1010 27

>10000 28

>10000 29

1420 30

1350 30.5

5030 12

230 (210*) 10400 3080 7130 Antag- onist 170 >4500 >4000 1400 >10000 >10000 10000 31

140 8900 2800 1880 Antag- onist 32

3800 33

5300 13

110 (40*) 530 60 120 Antag- onist 85 >4400 >3200 >10000 >10000 7900 >10000 34

>10000 35

1200 36

215 12500 2900 3800 Antag- onist 37

2100 37.5

7800 38

370 38.5

>10000 39

190 2340 220 830 40

530 41

140 1400 210 490 42

75 (65*) 1780 100 280 43

320 (130*) 4000 330 630 44

390 (120*) 4440 510 610 45

>10000 46

330* 8700 900 1880 47

230 (80*) 1920 130 240 48

50 (40*) 490 6 10 Antag- onist >4400 >3200 >10000 >10000 6300 >10000 14

80 1050 60 290 49

3700 50

230 1520 150 370 51

150 1930 120 400 52

280 2900 270 660 53

250 2930 270 630 54

680 15

290 55

570 56

100 1000 70 220 16

30 4380 560 1290 57

830 58

205 59

980 60

4200 17

80 670 30 80 18

55 460 40 115 19

50 605 60 160 61

760 62

>10000 20

8 130 5 20 Antag- onist (rat) 9 (rat) >4400 >3200 >10000 >10000 6700 >10000 63

2500 64

125 380 60 34 65

710 66

3500 67

1160 68

90 890 1010 69

1410 70

50 43 6 6 Antag- onist (rat) 8 (rat) 71

2000 72

130 1440 84 85 73

580 73

180 2140 2940 75

115 740 710 76

880 5300 77

>10000 8450 78

>1000 (<10000) 1300 79

250 370 80

10000 5610 81

12000 8080 82

10000 9200 83

620 1740 84

8000 770 85

12000 >10000 86

8000 510 86.5

2570 2050 87

270 3310 88

1000 2340 89

250 2730 90

560 1260 91

120 950 790 92

80 27 42 93

8000 5470 94

315 1490 1300 94.2

3000 1580 94.5

>1000 (<10000) 4830 95

31 60 21 96

40 90 130 97

1700 1690 98

80 220 84 99

56 108 105 100

585 6000 101

>10000 >10000 102

1180 970 103

360 3460 104

>1000 (<10000) 1260 105

22 250 200 106

2000 510 107

>10000 >10000 108

1000 2740 109

75 140 140 110

12000 >10000 111

630 1740 112

12000 7780 113

340 300 114

10000 7000 115

6000 5130 116

1170 390 117

1810 3000 118

380 430 119

12000 1300 120

>10000 >10000 121

1100 122

730 1260 123

510 124

1000 750 125

135 560 1050 126

128** 325** 684** 127

510 910 128

220 170 220 129

12000 1390 130

3000 590 131

600 132

640 133

490 134

6 3 3 Antag- onist 13 (rpH) 13 (hPI) >4400 3720 2400 135

1440 136

9.4 4.7 8.6 Antag- onist 6.3 & 8 rat PI, p 2400 160 137

200 400 360 138

200 1630 1570 139

110 113 150 140

110 530 320 >4400 2300 141

150 35 64 142

3000 (solu- bility?) 143

1870 144

230 145

200 146

>10000 147

60 3 5 148

12 1.6 1.3 149

360 150

80 8 13 151

65 7.2 5.2 152

700 153

120 11 21 154

150 22 36 155

210 156

24 270 400 157

620 158

1090 159

45 5 16 160

390 161

300 162

>10000 163

1960 164

1970 165

>10000 (solu- bility?) 166

260 167

7640 168

230 130 130 169

12 7 5 Antag- onist 17 (rat) 2710 3400 170

50 30 22 171

1140 172

3200 173

2800 174

220 385 570 175

>10000 176

54 3 4 177

7.4 5.7 7.3 Antag- onist 9 (rat) 178

185 179

190 180

350 181

190 182

430 183

6.8 2.5 2.7 Antag- onist 11.0 (rat) 184

560 185

120 250 270 186

7310 187

9000 188

290 189

940 190

420 190.5

350 191

4240 192

235 193

>10000 194

18 35 14 195

320 (Insol. >3 uM) 196

760 197

1040 198

780 (Insol. >3 uM) 199

92 9.6 15 200

42 2.8 13 Antag- onist 0.9 nM (rat) 200.5

1230 201

380 202

1425 203

130 58 62 204

1270 205

>10000 206

52 23 83 207

200 208

8620 209

4380 210

12000 211

1320 212

80 12 62 213

>10000 214

>10000 215

7800 216

4400 217

29 21 11 218

6460 219

875 220

630 221

15 11 9.2 222

110 78 65 223

1660 224

>10000 225

174 1510 850 226

240 2130 720 227

>10000 228

27 57 14 229

250 230

580 231

5 51 24 232

19 5.7 9 233

60 51 68 234

>10000 235

3720 236

903 237

>10000 238

7830 299

80 290 105 300

3.2 3.1 301

45 38 302

167 220 119 303

320 304

303 AXC- 07047

1410 AXC- 06675

2000 2800 AXC- 07450

>10000 AXC- 07350

>10000  

This Table shows bioavailability of compound according to the invention. The properties were determined using the methods described previously. The Table is in two parts.

Human Rat male pmol/min/mg pmol/min/mg C_(max) No. Compound 1 μM 1 μM T_(1/2) μM T_(max) F_(p.o.) 11

231 741 3 hr 0.15 1.5-3.5 hr 10% (10 mg/kg) 23

263 141 48 min 12

418 450 36 min 13

462 1236 1.5 hr 38

2776 41

185 1606 42

361 1387 58 min 44

459 1759 55 min 46

485 1781 55 min 47

392 2198 1.5 hr 48

289 2869 1.1 hr 0.33 1.5 hr  4% (20 mg/kg)¹ 14

329 1626 1.4 hr 1.6 1 hr (10 mg/kg)⁸ 51

392 1877 56

392 3412 2.6 hr 16

691 2602 40 min 17

699 2282 2.2 hr 18

320 1648 55 min 19

457 4510 43 min 20

620 3908 52 min 0.2 1 hr  3% (20 mg/kg)³ 68

2716 8125 70

311 2393 58 min 72

278 4226 92

241 1282 95

283 3356 96

182 1692 99

353 2549 109

130 1055 126

544 134

630 3909 1.4 hr 0.61 1 hr  8% (20 mg/kg)⁵ 136

191 4437 2 hr 0.24 2 hr  6% (20 mg/kg)⁴ 137

594 140

497 2521 147

523 3524 1 hr 148

248 1414 1.1 hr 0.03 2 hr  3% (20 mg/kg)¹ 150

655 3334 151

225 3043 154

241 4481 156

867 2995 159

793 6642 168

407 1087 1.8 hr 0.3 1 hr  1% (20 mg/kg)⁶ 169

589 3320 1.5 hr 0.97 1 hr 27% (20 mg/kg)¹ 170

toxic  0 (20 mg/kg)⁷ 176

273 2341 2.8 hr 177

876 2930 2.2 hr  0 (20 mg/kg)⁹ 181

514 1589 1.1 hr 2.43 2.5 hr 28% (20 mg/kg)¹ 182

326 183

238 1246 4.1 hr 0.35 1 hr 29% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 188

524 185

646 3713 190.5

1124 194

750 5978 199

181 3387 200

346 595 201

479 206

689 1794 207

157 1236 212

322 3282 217

483 953 221

116 528 222

115 575 225

450 2180 226

369 990 228

641 320 233

773 2988 299

300

Castrated male rats: 134

1.7 hr 1.98 1.5 hr 23% (20 mg/kg)¹ Bioavailability after i.p. dosing: 134 38% (20 mg/kg) 169 70% (20 mg/kg) 177  8% (20 mg/kg) Portal vein infusion: 136 36% bioavailable (20 mg/kg) Metabolism by CYP3A4: 20 3.4 pmol/min/pmol Rat female Dog Monkey pmol/min/mg C_(max) pmol/min/mg pmol/min/mg No. Compound 1 μM T_(1/2) μM T_(max) F_(p.o.) 1 μM 1 μM 11

23

12

13

38

1.9 hr 41

42

44

46

47

48

135 14

51

56

16

17

18

19

20

2520 7366 68

70

72

92

95

96

99

109

126

1.9 hr 0.02 30 min  2% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 134

94 1.7 hr 2.31 1 hr 24% (20 mg/kg)¹ 2159 9277 136

271 3.2 hr 0.24 2.5 hr  8% (20 mg/kg)¹ 3071 5959 137

182 7.9 hr 0.23 1 hr  1% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 140

4.6 hr 0.44 1 hr 59% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 147

148

133 1960 5019 150

151

154

156

159

168

169

2301 5940 170

176

177

2456 3120 181

139 1.9 hr 3.64 4 hr 59% (20 mg/kg)¹ 182

3.2 hr 1.1 1.5 hr 33% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 183

64 3.6 hr 0.51 1 hr 37% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 188

185

224 190.5

194

205 199

181 1.5 hr 0.08 4 hr 10% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 200

86 2.0 hr 0.96 1.5 hr 33% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 201

2.5 hr 1.9 30 min 21% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 206

330 207

159 1.6 hr 2.81 1 hr 41% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 212

430 1.6 hr 0.05 1 hr  1% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 217

203 3.8 hr 0.1 1 hr 16% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 221

223 3 hr 0.34 1 hr 41% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 222

167 3.2 0.81 1.5 54% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 225

330 1.1 hr 0.34 1 hr 24% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 226

173 4.6 hr 0.42 1-5 hr 34% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 228

227 2.4 hr 0.07 0.5 hr  2% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 233

338 1.4 hr 0.34 1 hr 34% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 299

2.4 hr 1.74 1 hr 72% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ 300

2.1 hr 0.36 1 hr 10% (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ ¹10 mg/ml solution in 10% DMSO 10% cremophor 80% saline ³10 mg/ml solution in 10% DMSO 10% cremophor 80% saline (when given as 40 mg/ml in PEG400 or PG, F_(p.o.) was 0%) ⁴10 mg/ml solution in 10% DMSO 10% cremophor 80% saline; or 40 mg/ml in PEG400 (T_(max) = 4 hr); or PG (T_(max) = 3.5 hr) ⁵10 mg/ml solution in 10% DMSO 10% cremophor 80% saline; or 40 mg/ml in PEG400 (C_(max) = 0.23 plateau 2-4 hr) ⁶40 mg/ml solution in 50% DMSO 50% cremophor ⁷10 mg/ml suspention in 10% DMSO 20% cremophor 70% saline ⁸5 mg/ml suspension in 10% DMSO 10% cremophor 80% saline ⁹10 mg/ml suspension in 10% DMSO 10% cremophor 80% saline ¹⁰5 mg/ml solution in 10% DMSO 10% cremophor 80% saline  

The following compounds have been made and tested using the procedures previously discussed. The data is in two parts and shows the binding of a compound to a receptor.

S%R 10 uM Compound MOLSTRUCTURE hGnRHR 320

9 321

55 322

4 323

1 324

27 325

3 326

51 327

0 328

33 329

31 330

10 331

49 332

1 333

28 334

34 335

2 336

57 337

6 338

26 339

17 340

28 341

20 342

45 343

33 344

57 345

40 346

−14 347

2 348

49 349

47 350

10 351

24 352

51 353

−4 354

−5 355

20 356

17 357

−2 358

9 359

55 360

4 361

4 362

1 363

14 364

21 365

47 366

37 367

15 368

56 369

11 370

37 371

55 372

1 373

19 374

13 375

16 376

50 377

39 378

−4 379

4 380

29 381

34 382

8 383

7 384

21 385

41 386

27 387

52 388

30 389

3 390

55 391

48 392

0 393

44 394

57 395

40 396

55 397

43 390

44 399

41 S%R 1 uM COMPOUND MOLSTRUCTURE hGnRHR 400

28 401

32 402

18 403

44 404

13 405

40 406

30 407

20 408

16 409

32 410

21 411

28 412

49 413

16 414

10 415

18 416

34 417

20 418

42 419

36 420

28 421

48 422

34 423

49 424

31 425

42 426

30 427

20 428

46 429

40 430

55 431

47 432

42 433

54 434

6 435

12 436

58 437

40 438

7 439

23 440

22 441

17 442

50 443

19 444

32 445

22 446

55 447

18 448

46 449

42 450

6 451

24 452

55 453

50 454

36 455

58 S%R 10 uM COMPOUND MOLSTRUCTURE mGnRHR 456

−12 457

−3 458

29 459

53 460

−4 461

53 462

0 463

−5 464

7 465

32 466

30 467

−1 468

−10 469

−9 470

6 471

−4 472

42 473

−14 474

39 475

−3 476

20 477

47 478

3 479

−3 480

−2 481

5 482

34 483

10 484

−1 485

−5 486

33 487

3 488

−3 489

−1 490

4 491

9 492

−7 493

−6 494

−7 495

4 496

−6 497

2 498

58 499

1 500

−4 501

−3 502

−2 503

−3 504

46 505

7 506

3 507

−4 508

7 509

16 510

23 511

47 512

51 513

9 514

2 515

11 516

21 517

34 518

56 519

0 520

−3 521

51 522

9 523

−4 524

35 525

−9 526

9 527

10 528

22 529

−3 530

−4 531

4 532

12 533

29 534

9 535

43 536

38 537

32 538

17 539

19 540

0 541

9 542

42 543

31 544

27 545

28 546

29 547

24 548

12 549

48 550

3 551

21 552

58 553

34 554

27 555

21 556

10 557

10 558

24 559

26 560

7 561

0 562

30 563

13 564

45 565

48 566

3 567

−1 568

28 569

58 570

48 571

36 572

41 573

37 574

13 575

−3 576

15 577

30 578

17 579

10 580

18 581

43 582

−2 583

−3 584

15 585

52 586

57 587

29 588

4 589

35 590

−2 591

48 592

17 593

2 594

16 595

24 596

−1 597

11 598

−4 599

28 600

−4 601

17 602

44 603

−4 604

4 605

19 606

32 607

−2 608

8 609

47 610

0 611

11 612

9 613

53 614

48 615

7 616

29 617

−2 618

9 619

5 620

3 621

43 622

43 623

2 624

8 625

8 626

10 627

−6 628

35 629

17 630

58 631

43 632

21 633

10 634

1 635

27 636

17 637

55 638

53 639

57 640

2 641

23 642

19 643

23 644

22 645

51 646

0 647

35 648

4 649

28 650

4 651

15 652

19 653

6 654

34 655

2 656

52 657

3 658

35 659

−2 660

−4 661

41 662

3 663

25 664

1 665

12 666

24 667

39 668

6 669

−3 670

16 671

12 672

23 673

2 674

10 675

−5 676

−4 677

54 678

17 679

1 680

0 681

6 682

59 683

23 684

2 685

19 686

37 687

7 688

0 689

34 690

25 691

7 692

−2 693

55 694

11 695

35 696

21 697

1 698

59 699

−1 700

30 701

−1 702

28 703

5 704

4 705

23 706

3 707

0 708

−4 709

15 710

4 711

2 712

1 713

2 714

52 715

1 716

35 717

19 718

34 719

28 720

−1 721

2 722

12 723

20 724

6 725

−1 726

11 727

3 728

0 729

2 730

8 731

37 732

28 733

42 734

28 735

−1 736

37 737

36 738

16 739

42 740

15 741

11 742

5 743

0 744

0 745

58 746

25 747

10 748

12 749

17 750

34 751

4 752

27 753

1 754

37 755

2 756

38 757

1 758

9 759

21 760

10 761

12 762

3 763

5 764

18 765

15 766

6 767

42 768

3 769

2 770

3 771

0 772

−4 773

3 774

3 775

38 776

3 777

31 778

6 779

2 780

1 781

44 782

15 783

25 784

31 785

9 786

34 787

−3 788

6 789

14 790

0 791

29 792

5 793

13 794

0 795

0 796

19 797

−1 798

29 799

42 800

1 801

31 802

31 803

54 804

5 805

51 806

10 807

39 808

9 809

38 810

0 811

57 812

10 813

−2 814

6 815

9 816

29 817

7 818

50 819

−2 820

−2 821

7 822

0 823

33 824

6 825

26 826

53 827

1 828

56 829

4 830

38 831

27 832

2 833

26 834

0 835

36 % Inhib. @ Repeats @ 1 uM 1 uM MOLSTRUCTURE hGnRH hGnRH

40 49

57 58

86 93

26 26

20 24

15 15

27 31

62 67

50 62

−7 0

63 69

−21 −26

38 41

86 90

52 54

75 92

47 52

49 50

60 62

23 36

11 6

16 23

−29 −31

67 70

−27 −29

13 8

−25 −25

−36 −37

13 33

−10 −8

31 45

−13 −9

102 107

−21 −36

59 66

78 81

87 92

−29 −30

−17 −29

44 45

57 64

18 9

−21 −23

33 89

−12 −9

83 86

63 64

66 76

83 84

24 35

−22 −25

−34 −38

−4 2

55 60

22 28

80 90

−14 −5

−20 −26

22 25

−12 0

35 35

−17 −31

−2 4

−11 −8

32 44

−5 0

−1 −9

−21 −5

17 25

11 13

27 38

84 89

35 42

−3 8

32 36

71 76

100 101

−16 −2

51 56

21 23

30 44

−6 −7

85 85

101 99

44 49

18 22

26 87

79 91

−12 14

−1 12

69 74

67 69

−2 3

82 85

−6 2

56 57

−11 −8

−7 4

16 3

13 19

−7 −7

86 88

59 60

70 72

17 26

15 26

19 25

−7 4

−11 −9

−10 −6

20 23

−11 24

79 82

81 89

68 68

−1 6

76 83

−10 13

69 75

48 55

84 86

89 92

82 85

1 41

−3 2

62 69

77 84

55 63

−11 −7

−20 −30

−4 0

10 2

−7 15

−7 9

−10 −5

−12 −9

31 42

61 70

−23 −8

17 28

72 72

51 54

35 36

61 71

−6 6

−18 −7

−25 3

−2 3

−4 1

15 16

14 27

−3 −5

38 45

52 52

68 71

19 29

53 64

15 21

69 71

78 84

17 20

53 58

−4 −7

−14 −6

40 41

−22 9

−20 −7

−24 9

−18 6

24 3

58 63

44 48

49 58

16 32

−6 0

26 34

−40 17

−6 16

55 61

−18 5

−10 −15

−11 −29

−20 −21

−16 −29

−4 −7

−19 −22

−4 11

3 7

−15 −20

−5 62

−10 −9

11 16

−12 −6

15 19

16 24

−11 −5

42 53

93 95

87 90

−11 −17

−1 −7

1 1

42 44

2 21

59 62

93 95

10 9

7 9

11 15

−22 −4

−5 6

76 79

−5 8

−10 −6

77 79

81 85

48 52

29 32

81 82

68 69

74 81

45 45

28 35

20 28

13 7

14 20

14 21

−12 1

38 39

15 17

21 22

28 45

20 22

16 7

−2 9

2 4

27 48

−26 11

10 2

17 23

−1 −3

12 8

−8 3

78 85

−2 6

54 54

57 60

94 96

16 22

−10 −3

−6 14

−17 −27

−13 −5

−10 −15

75 77

−10 −13

43 48

49 52

62 68

12 14

−2 6

41 44

25 28

−12 −9 % Inhib. @ 10 uM MOLSTRUCTURE mGnRH

82

103

101

100

99

80

93

66

96

83

63

63

46

71

104

65

94

21

84

100

66

99

9

89

102

86

82

101

63

59

26

14

91

93

65

73

96

66

89

73

22

100

97

79

100

79

95

99

73

97

58

34

43

74

91

66

100

97

100

102

23

72

86

75

99

89

75

41

77

98

101

90

91

64

97

94

22

98

49

88

98

64

25

88

99

−23

12

99

69

92

72

40

49

44

51

4

16

9

98

94

67

26

71

28

90

103

95

73

96

101

98

103

95

58

90

8

103

75

98

82

104

100

94

88

99

61

102

17

47

74

86

97

57

87

100

70

5

95

94

99

101

94

97

86

17

101

69

92

91

100

44

64

59

63

75

13

81

46

63

72

67

96

31

98

98

69

100

101

95

101

94

13

63

20

96

31

36

89

73

70

43

71

48

84

104

68

69

69

33

79

88

53

83

43

99

84

28

83

74

53

90

55

65

90

72

84

56

72

81

73

28

91

52

60

83

96

76

104

91

100

72

98

76

97

63

58

35

101

36

58

91

76

80

74

30

87

103

66

89

97

20

14

27

42

93

102

103

103

103

105

82

62

59

29

67

101

73

86

85

52

73

69

103

94

98

90

100

77

72

49

76

85

46

92

37

58

106

73

81

97

98

100

88

84

53

72

57

65

83

78

86

65

89

77

99

101

23

34

84

46

79

82

102

76

99

100

90

103

21

43

25

50

31

61

91

94

91

91

98

57

48

101

95

104

95

28

42

47

39

93

79

44

65

66

60

37

105

77

52

96

92

90

99

97

99

97

103

104

99  

% inhib. @ Repeats @ 10 uM 10 uM MOLSTRUCTURE hGnRH hGnRH

−25 −25

−15 −20

−17 −28

−4 −4

−10 −5  

MOLSTRUCTURE

 

MOLSTRUCTURE

 

MOLSTRUCTURE

 

MOLSTRUCTURE

  

1. A compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of:

  or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of:

  or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A compound having the formula:

  or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. A compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of:

  or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. A compound having the formula:

  or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. A compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of:

  or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined in any one of claims 1-6; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
 8. A method for regulating the secretion of gonadotropins in mammals, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as defined in any one of claims 1-6. 